a short film by Soman Chainani 2006 | 13 mins | US ›› Davy and Stu an intense tale of gay first love. Adapted for the screen from his award-winning play, here writer Anton Dudley, alongside director Soman Chainani of Kali Ma fame, have crafted an intense tale of gay first love. For it is a bond of the affectionate kind that sees best friends Davy and Stu meet at night, hidden away from prying eyes thanks to the trees and woodland greenery that encompass a local Scottish peat bog, complete with its own nightmarish tales. Only just what do the two young men want from their relationship: conversation or perhaps something more? As a character driven piece, Chainani has relied heavily upon his two players and thankfully, they do not let him down. For this is a work that criss-crosses the emotional divide, as the two visibly struggle with their feelings for each other, ever conscious of not being seen together in public, but equally yearning for each other's company by way of a torch lit rendezvous. Both actors handle their bittersweet roles achingly well, as facial expressions speak volumes of the unspoken love between the two, if not of the pressures to conform to social expectations; be it those of a small farming community, or the macho world of sport itself. Simply staged, it nevertheless resonates with homoerotic intensity and charm, even if some I dare say may have a problem or two with the dialect. Beautifully realistic, nonetheless. Gay Visibility - covert.  Nudity - none.  Overall - file under ... 3+ stars.  available on DVD as part of the Strand Releasing catalogue / US. screened as part of the 1st edition of the IRIS Prize International Film Festival, Wales - 2007. starring: Travis Walters as Davy and Nicholas Cutro as Stu. dedication - "for Russell." official website: nopressureproductions.com Copyright 2012 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #479 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹