Groovy Gay Film Festival #2: Shank

Groovy Gay Film Festival #2: Shank

I was pleasantly surprised by the film, Shank, which is one of the best gay dramas that I've seen in a long time. However, when the movie began with a group of young thugs filming their brutal assault on a man, I did not have high hopes of enjoying myself for the next 90 minutes. But by the end of the film, I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering if any of the fascinating characters would live happily ever after.

The emotional events in the gritty world of Shank center around 18-year-old Cal, who's a member of a violent British gang--and secretly in love with his best friend, the hunky (and frequently shirtless) Jonno. At the beginning of the film, Cal has sex in the woods with an older stranger he's met online before giving the guy a painful headbutt and driving off without him. He later jerks off at home while watching their hot forest romp on video (he films all his gay encounters with his cell phone). Add in some lines of cocaine and this is Cal's miserable life--until he meets Olivier, a sweet student from France who becomes another random victim of the gang's violence. Cal and Olivier's unlikely friendship turns everyone's life upside down, including Jonno, Nessa (the vicious gang leader who is one scary girl), and Scott (Olivier's teacher--and Cal's close acquaintance from the woods).

Shank is a fairly simple story, but writers Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin slowly--and expertly--build the tension of their tale and even provide a few surprising twists in the final scenes that made me sit up and go, "Wow, I didn't see that coming." Their screenplay really couldn't be better, and 21-year-old director Simon Pearce has grabbed their words and gone wild with them. It's an impressive feature film debut for this extremely talented young man, who perfectly captures the explosive darkness of Cal's existence while at the same time lightening the mood a bit for the developing relationship between Cal and Olivier. I especially liked that Olivier's penchant for the color pink eventually rubs off on Cal's own wardrobe.

But major kudos must also be bestowed upon the amazing ensemble of actors who truly inhabit these troubled characters and give such vivid performances that I could easily believe that they really existed. Garry Summers (Scott), Tom Bott (Jonno), Marc Laurent (Olivier), and Alice Payne (as Nessa, one of the roughest, toughest gals I've ever seen onscreen) are all wonderful, and I found it quite refreshing that a female was the "leader of the pack." However, I have to reserve most of my praise for actor Wayne Virgo, whose portrayal of Cal is nothing less than brilliant. He makes us slowly grow to care for this young man struggling with his inner demons, and by the emotional ending, we're firmly in his corner, hoping that he'll find happiness. This film is Virgo's first professional acting role, which makes his performance even more extraordinary.

Shank may be quite graphic in its depiction of sex and violence, but its unique "coming out" story and engaging actors are what make this dark cinematic tale one worth experiencing.

http://marcharshbarger.blogspot.com/2009/10/groovy-gay-film-festival-2-shank.html

http://www.britishcouncil.org/africa-news-shank.htm

	British Council supports film about gangs and identity

	Shank, coming to South Africa

A British film that tackles issues of homophobia and coming to terms with one’s sexuality is coming to South Africa courtesy of the British Council. The Out in Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, in Johannesburg and Cape Town in September, serves as a platform for discussion about the situation of lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex individuals (LGBTIs) in a young democracy. The British Council has sponsored the film-makers’ trip to South Africa. Director Simon Pearce and writers Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin will be talking to film students and audiences about the process behind their production. ‘To be supported by the British Council in bringing our film to South Africa, on top of being selected, is an absolute thrill and honour - and we cannot wait to hear what reaction it provokes,’ says Pearce. Shank explores the life of Cal, an 18-year-old gang member whose life revolves around drugs, sex and random acts of violence. He also has a secret - he is attracted to other men, in particular his fellow gang member Jonno. Gang leader Nessa suspects that there is something going on between them and stirs up a conflict. Trouble erupts when Cal rescues a French boy from being beaten up by the gang. The film has already received an international award. According to the 21-year-old director, the crew is overwhelmed by the film’s success and the international support shown for their achievements. ‘We shall be bringing their shared sense of pride with us to South Africa,’ says Pearce. Writer and producer Martin says: ‘We wanted to make a drama that could cross over to all audiences, forcing them to confront and question a very current reality, but one that still spoke specifically to a core audience.’ According to Pearce, having the British Council involved in the film provides some comfort that there are organisations that value the achievements of aspiring British film-makers. ‘Being associated with the British Council has given the film a seal of approval and is a badge of honour that we’ll wear with pride. ‘We hope this is the beginning of a strong relationship and that we can take our association forward and explore all other opportunities that might be available to us with the British Council,’ Pearce says. According to Pearce, the decision to make the film came about because other film-makers were shying away from such stories. ‘Other films are aiming wholly at a gay audience instead of seeking a broader reach of viewers. We wanted to highlight things that were really happening out there, however uncomfortable the reality might be.’ The film also aimed to provide a training ground for a selection of young film-makers. ‘Both cast and crew were mentored through the process of making a feature film by a team of seasoned professionals from the industry, headed by Christian and Darren, who have been in the business for nearly 20 years,’ Pearce says. This youthful team provides an example of their generation’s acceptance of difference, as they are all straight but still enthusiastic about the subject matter and story being told. For more information about Shank visit this page. To find out more about our upcoming events and programmes click here, to find out what’s been happening in Africa read our News in Africa Section.

Bonjour Montreal

Some of the SHANK team introduce to Montreal - screening 28th October 2009

SHANK out on DVD in the UK 2nd November 2009

available on www.madbad.co.uk