Bombay Boys (1998)

This is an unorthodox comedy film about the adventures of three young men of Indian origin (NRIs as commonly known) and raised in New York, Sydney and London. All three arrived on the same day at Mumbai International Airport where they accidentally meet. Krishna Sahni (Naveen Andrews) is an aspiring actor from New York who wants to make it big in Bollywood; Ricardo Fernandes (Rahul Bose) is from Sydney who is trying to search for his long-lost brother; and Xerxes Mistry (Alexander Gifford), a musician from London who is looking to discover his "roots" in the land of his ancestors.



This film makes its statements in stylish and innovative ways not so common in Bollywood and beneath its satirical surface is a genuinely funny film. Remember that this is just a fiction feature of which intention is just to entertain. Certainly one of my favourite films from India...

Bent (1997)

This is a screen adaptation of an award-winning play about the persecution of homosexuals by Nazis during World War II. In Germany, the Nazi party's program of genocide against any and all perceived "enemies" is coming into full swing when the party begins a violent purge of homosexuals in its membership. Max (Clive Owen), a bisexual playboy, is attending an orgy thrown by drag queen "Greta" (Mick Jagger) and featuring a number of party members when the festivities are raided by the police; Max and his lover Rudy (Brian Webber) escape, but they are later arrested and sentenced to a concentration camp. En route to the camp, Max betrays Rudy and arranges to be given a yellow identification star, marking him as a Jew, instead of a pink triangle, which would signify him as gay; while the Jews are destined to be executed, gay prisoners receive even more brutal treatment from the guards. While incarcerated, Max meets Horst (Lothaire Bluteau), an inmate who proudly wears the pink triangle. Max and Horst fall in love with each other, and Horst's bravery leads Max to accept his sexual identity.

BENT is truly one of the best films ever made for its genre. Based on a theatrical production, this powerful and moving film made in Britain mainly demonstrates the most evil practice or treatment by humans that act more like beasts than humans. It’s certainly a film for everyone!

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KM.0 (2000)

En una calurosa tarde de verano, catorce personas que necesitan un cambio en sus vidas se encuentran en el centro de Madrid, el Kilómetro Cero. La vida de la gente puede cambiar de forma radical por un encuentro fortuito. Algunos acaban con la persona que esperaban, pero la mayoría se encuentra con la persona equivocada, terminando sin embargo más felices que al principio. Encuentran un nuevo kilómetro cero para sus vidas.

At 6pm one hot summer, fourteen persons who need a change in their lives are in the center of Madrid, the Kilometer Zero. Each one of them made an appointment to meet someone they have not met yet except for one couple. Obviously there were mistakes but turned a lot better than what they expected for... from zero to a new kilometer in their lives.

KM. 0 is one of the best sensible comedies I have watched and that I suggest you fasten your seatbelts whilst watching as you might fall down from your seats. Maybe I have exaggerated so much but it is really a very good watch! Good actors playing great characters. I personally like the stories of the student aspiring to become a director and his encounter with the prostitute; and the flamenco dancer finding his soul-mate by chance.

(In SPANISH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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Le Hasard Fait Bien Les Choses (2002)

Jean-Pierre Muller (Jean-Claude Brialy), un professeur d'université, à l'apogée de sa carrière pour tout le monde. Jean-Pierre est un homme marié, discret, modeste, aux mœurs irréprochables. La vérité c'est qu'il ne s'est jamais résolu à avouer son homosexualité à son entourage et qu'il coule le parfait amour avec Armando (Antonio Interlandi). Pour faire plaisir à sa défunte mère, il a même fait un mariage blanc avec Alice (Sabine Haudepin). Lorsque Jean-Pierre apprend qu'il est contraint de devenir le tuteur d'Antoine (Julien Bravo), il court se plaindre au juge, qui en réponse lui propose l'aide d'une assistante sociale ! Menacé par la visite surprise de cette assistante sociale, craignant qu'elle ne découvre l'étendue de sa double vie, Jean-Pierre décide de demander service à Alice: qu'elle vienne s'installer chez lui le temps que tout cela se tasse ! A l'appartement, Ana, la fidèle bonne a du mal à gérer: une femme à la maison (Alice), un adolescent qui pointe son nez (Antoine), un amant caché furieux (Armando) et un Jean-Pierre contrarié. Avec tout cela, Jean-Pierre a aussi du mal à gérer...

Jean-Pierre Muller (Jean-Claude Brialy), a University professor who is in the height of his career is a married, discreet, modest man of practically good but blameless morals. The truth is at his late age, he has never publicly confessed about his homosexuality, not even to his closest circle. His lover Armando begs him to just be himself and to stop making pretension so that they could always be happy. In fact he even got into an "arranged marriage" with immigration-troubled Alice just to please his late mother. When Jean-Pierre learns that he is forced to become the guardian of Antoine (Julien Bravo), he made a petition to the judge who says that the case would be investigated by a social welfare and will take about three months. Threatened by any surprised visits and fearing that his double life will be out in the open, Jean-Pierre decides to ask Alice for help - to pretend that they are happily married. When Alice moves in, Ana (Elena Noverraz) the Housekeeper finds it so difficult to manage the presence of the new inhabitants of the house but she is happy for Jean-Pierre, the man she highly respects and would always be happy to work for...

LE HASARD FAIT BIEN LES CHOSES (AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, its English title) is a Swiss film originally made for TV. It is one package of comic and heart-warming moments that will suit both gays and straights with a wonderful message about love and acceptance.

(In FRENCH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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Trick (1999)

A young gay aspiring musical theater writer/composer searches in vain for someplace to bed down with a sexy go-go dancer in this sweet-natured romantic comedy set in Manhattan. Gabriel (Christian Campbell) wants to compose musical comedies whilst his best friend and confidante Katherine (Tori Spelling) wants to star in his productions. On the way home from a local gay cruise bar, Gabriel notices Mark (Jean Paul Pitoc), one of the dancers from the club, catnapping in the subway. After flirting and exchanging sloppy stares at one another, Mark joins Gabriel at the latter’s small one-room apartment only to find themselves disturbed by a pet dog and Katherine and his heterosexual roommate and his roommate’s girlfriend. Their attempt to find a suitable boudoir leads them from one location to another and along the way they discover that their attraction might extend beyond a one-night stand affair.

TRICK is obviously unrealistic but definitely one entertaining film. The fine acting of the three leads combined with some witty lines and funny moments not to mention the comical musical numbers are enough to make you feel good whilst enjoying the film.

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Dans Paris (2005)

L'histoire suit les aventures sentimentales de deux frères -- Paul et Jonathan (Romain Duris et Louis Garrel) -- et dessine ainsi le portrait d'une famille dont la devise serait: "Prends la peine d'ignorer la tristesse des tiens."

The story follows the emotional adventures of two brothers -- Paul & Jonathan (Romain Duris & Louis Garrel) -- drawing a portrait of a family that strongly believes that: "Take the trouble to ignore your own sorrow."

Three great actors supported by three great actresses in a "comedic" film dealing with pains of sorrow, suicide and separation. What else can I say? DANS PARIS (INSIDE PARIS)!

(In FRENCH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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L'Homme Est Une Femme Comme Les Autres (1998)

Simon Eskanazy, un jeune clarinettiste homosexuel d'origine juive, résiste à sa mère qui voudrait bien le voir marié. L'oncle de Simon, un riche banquier, lui propose de devenir son héritier, à une condition cependant : qu'il convole enfin et ait un descendant. Simon rejette tout d'abord cette proposition mais, expulsé de son appartement, il finit par répondre aux avances d'une cantatrice yiddish, Rosalie Baumann. Elle l'aime sincèrement et a décidé de rester vierge jusqu'au jour de son mariage. Par honnêteté, Simon révèle à Rosalie son homosexualité. Le mariage a tout de même lieu et il est consommé le soir même...

Simon Eskanazy is a young Jewish clarinetist who happens to be gay, resists the demands of his mother that he gets married. Simon's uncle, a wealthy banker, offered him to become his heir in one condition: that he finally ties a knot and gives the family a descendant. He refuses the proposal so he is evicted of his apartment and his luxurious allowance is cut, that's when he finally accepts the advances of a Yiddish singer, Rosalie Baumann. She loves Simon dearly and decides to remain a virgin until their wedding night. Simon honestly reveals his homosexuality to her and the wedding still continues...

L'HOMME EST UNE FEMME COMME LES AUTRES (MAN IS A WOMAN in the US) is an entertaining romantic dramedy that I really enjoyed watching and I have a feeling that a lot of you will do, too.

(In FRENCH & ENGLISH with ENGLISH & FRENCH subtitles)

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F. Est Un Salaud (1998)

Dans les années 70, Beni (Vincent Branchet), un adolescent épris d'émancipation, tombe amoureux de Fogi (Frédéric Andrau), chanteur et leader rebelle d'un groupe de rock. Tout à sa passion, Beni ne perçoit pas la déchéance de Fogi, dont il devient l'esclave. Quand il ouvre enfin les yeux, il tente de se raccrocher à son amour mais devra prendre la décision la plus terrible de sa vie.

In the seventies, Beni (Vincent Branchet), a teenager falls in love with the lead singer of a popular rock band Fogi (Frédéric Andrau). The self-absorbed rocker soon cools down and his attitude toward Beni veers into sadism. To pay for Fogi's drug habit, the obsessed Beni agrees to sleep with other men, sometimes wearing a collar, and soon he begins to fantasize that he's a dog. When Beni starts to realise that Fogi is at the edge of losing himself, he holds his love but will have to make the worst decision in his life...

F. EST UN SALAUD is a Swiss film titled FOGI IS A BASTARD in English with a cast of French actors. It is a very disturbing piece but a very good one that it had won for itself Best Film in at least one of the film festivals. It's a story of love so powerful that it can destroy one's life. And it also showed how terrifying drugs can be when it overpowers its users. It makes me believe that on occasions, it is best not to give all, and putting limitations sometimes works more successfully.

(In FRENCH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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20 Centímetros (2005)

Marieta (Mónica Cervera) quiere dejar de llamarse Adolfo. Llamarse como su padre y tener los mismos veinte centímetros que él, le produce repelús. Marieta quiere llamarse Marieta y ser una mujer respetada y con todas las de la ley. Sufre de narcolepsia y se queda dormida en el momento menos oportuno. Pero en sus ataques de sueño, que dan origen a los números musicales, Marieta canta maravillosamente y habla idiomas. Marieta es toda una mujer. Él está enamorado de Raúl (Pablo Puyol) que adora su cuerpo sobre todo... que él quiere quitado.

Marieta (Mónica Cervera) does not want to be addressed as Adolfo. To be called in the same way as his father and to have twenty centimeters just like his makes the creeps out of him. He prefers to be called Marieta and be treated and respected as a woman. He suffers from narcolepsy and instantly falls asleep in the least opportune moment. But during his attacks he immediately dreams of elaborate musical extravaganza... that he is the star and sings magnificently in different languages. And she really feels like a total woman. He falls in love with Raúl (Pablo Puyol) who adores his body, most especially... that part of her she wants removed.

20 CENTÍMETROS is another fantabulous offer from Spain. Its very imaginative story staged with outlandish musical performances by the actors themselves is incredibly fun-tastic. An entertainment film that I highly recommend to everyone... straight or not straight... gay or not gay!

(In SPANISH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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Mauvais Genres (2001)

Bo Ancelin (Robinson Stévenin), jeune homme qui ne se voit, ne se comprend et ne s’habille qu’en femme, tombe amoureux de son nouveau voisin, Johnny (Stéphane Metzger). Mais ce dernier, qui se veut un « dur », n’a que faire de ses avances, auxquelles il ne répond que par le mépris et la méchanceté. Bo est le fils d’un notable poursuivi pour pédophilie. Le policier chargé de l’enquête voudrait bien obtenir son témoignage, qui confirmerait celui qu’il a déjà donné sept ans auparavant, étant enfant, et que la justice avait négligé. Mais une autre affaire vient perturber ce petit monde : des prostituées sont retrouvées assassinées et mutilées, et parmi elles, des amies ou connaissances de Bo. Cette dernière (parlons d’elle au féminin, puisque c’est le souhait du personnage) va passer du rôle de témoin à celui de suspect et même d’enquêteur, cherchant à trouver un fil conducteur dans cette affaire compliquée qui semble prendre ses racines une quinzaine d’années plus tôt.

Bo Ancelin (Robinson Stévenin) is a young man who sees himself as a woman and falls in love with his new neighbour, Johnny (Stéphane Metzger). However, Johnny only reciprocated Bo’s advances with sarcasm and nastiness. On the other hand, Bo is the son of a notable paedophile being investigated by the authorities. They want Bo’s additional testimony to follow up the allegation he made seven years before which was kind of neglected by them. In the meantime, prostitutes are found slaughtered and mutilated, and among them, are friends or acquainted with Bo. This time Bo becomes the prime suspect which he will investigate himself to clear his name and later found out that the scrupulous murders has something to do with an incident that took place fifteen years earlier.

MAUVAIS GENRES also known as BAD GENRES, TRANSFIXED and GENDER BIAS is mainly a serial-killer thriller with minor sub-plots that are somehow related if not directly related to the main story. This Belgian-French offer which is directed well with a fine cast of actors will keep you guessing until the end. It is definitely worth your time.

(In FRENCH with ENGLISH subtitles)

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Naked Boys Singing (2007)

This film is obviously based on the long-running Off-Broadway musical comedy revue which features 16 original songs celebrating the splendors of male nudity. In the years since its first performance at the Celebration Theater in Los Angeles, the staged version has become an international phenomenon, playing successfully in more than 40 cities and in six languages all over the globe. It stars Vincent Zamora, Andrew Blake Ames, Jason Currie, Jaymes Hodges, Joseph Keane, Anthony Manough, Joe Souza, Kevin Stea, Phong Truong, and Salvatore Vassallo.

NAKED BOYS SINGING needs no further introduction as the title itself gives the whole scenario away. It is a great musical entertainment and a good watch when you want to be cheered up. Bottom line is... it's nice seeing men singing in the nude, aye?!

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