a short film by Adam Salky
2005 | 16 mins | US
Adam Fleming .... Ben
Michael Cassidy .... Johnny
Marla Burkholder .... Alexa
Terry Guerin .... Drama Teacher
Carly Haines .... Alexa's Friend
Matt Lundy .... Jock
Steve Sweigard .... Jock
Dare
an engaging work of the falling in
love with Mr Straight variety
publicity still for the film short
DARE by Adam Salky
photo by Blake Martin
www.darethemovie.com
AWARDS
Birmingham Sidewalk
Moving Picture Festival
2005 - Winner Special Jury Award
Fort Worth
Gay & Lesbian Int'l Film Festival
2005 - Tied Winner Q Award
Best Dramatic Men's Short
Newfest, New York
Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
2005 - Winner 'Best of' Selection
Outfest, Los Angeles
Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
2005 - Winner 'Best of' Selection
PlanetOut Short Movie Awards
2005 - Winner Audience Award
for Drama
Rhode Island Int'l Film Festival
2005 - Winner Grand Prize
Alternative Spirit Award
among many other
selections and nominations
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What is it with straight men and why is it that so many of us keep falling for them,
both on and off screen?
For in this award-winning short Ben has the hots for fellow classmate Johnny. Yet the only time
that the two spend together is courtesy of rehearsals for the school production of A STREETCAR
NAMED DESIRE, with 'straight boy' Johnny in the role of Stanley Kowalski and 'light boy'
Ben - in the rafters, forever shining the spotlight on the object of his desire.
Yet even in the lighting gallery, Ben can hear a fluffed word or two and when Johnny misses his
cue yet again, Ben's offer of help extends to more than just reminding Johnny of his lines,
as left over champagne, coupled with the family swimming pool finds clothes removed,
inhibitions lowered and inner secrets revealed!
Directed by Adam Salky, this Columbia Graduate Film School work plays heavily on the gay fantasy
/ reality of getting to know straight men in ways that go beyond mere conversation. And
nothing wrong with that given the clear popularity of this short, one that has
since fuelled rumours of a full-length version in the offering.
If such proves to be the case, then many would no doubt wish to see Adam Fleming and Michael
Cassidy reprise their roles, having played the parts of the homosexual loner and officially
straight pretty boy of the piece with a teasing sense of reality, one that will undoubtedly
bring back memories to those who have spent time with st8s seemingly more
than willing to cross the sexual border from time to time.
For that is the unanswered question of this well-executed and engaging work of the falling in
love with Mr Straight variety, namely whether or not Ben and Johnny dare take their newfound
friendship to an all the more deeper level? Or was their intimate moonlight swim simply a
one-off? Of that, only writer and producer David Brind knows the answer.
Albeit we can speculate - or should that be fantasise?
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