a short film by Harry Wootliff 2010 | 25 mins | UK ›› I Don't Care a cry for sexual and personal freedom. Screened as part of Channel 4's noted Coming Up anthology of short films devoted to showcasing up and coming talent, this emotive piece is as much a reflection on repressed sexuality, as it is a cry for freedom. For cue the times of Luka Bartholomew; a gifted artist yearning to explore life outside of his desolate home town, only to find himself the sole carer for his all but bedridden mother. Granted time off from his day in / day out duties by way of a birthday surprise, Luka is determined to spend his few hours of liberty as far away from sleepy Porthpunnet as possible, only to find no trains are going in any direction. Yet when fate brings him in contact with free spirited tattoo artist Dan, is Luka about to face the bloody reality of wild abandonment? In a work overflowing with an abundance of small screen faces, including Mark Benton of Waterloo Road credit as a hairy biker with a heart, together with actress and soul singer Paloma Faith as oddball styled shop assistant Rainy, it is David Leon, aka DS Joe Ashworth of Vera primetime note who shines as gay nomad Dan, that of the enigmatic wild card of the piece with a serious liking for his kindred spirit, of sorts. For it is here that writer Pete Jordi Wood paints an acute picture of contrasts, with Iwan Rheon of TV's Misfits fame achingly conveying a gifted artist who sees in the newfound stranger in town the life that he seemingly can only but dream of, namely one of both sexual and personal freedom. Well played throughout, even if issues of freedom v duty dominate this short, prompting the question that many a real life carer faces, not of choice, but rather of finding the right balance between the two. Gay Visibility - overt.  Nudity - strictly from the waist up.  Overall - file under ... 3+ stars.  ›› Available to buy from Amazon.co.uk.   available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue - 'Boys On Film: Cruel Britannia' release: 28.May.2012 / UK. screened as part of Channel 4's Coming Up anthology of short films: 19.August.2010. starring: Iwan Rheon / Luka, David Leon / Dan, Paloma Faith / Rainy, Mark Benton / Phil, Di Botcher / Bernadette and Helen Grady as Fleur. Copyright 2012 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #484 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹