Over time I’ve reviewed some pretty disturbing features. Disturbing in the sense that such works have depicted the ugly face of sexual prejudice and its brutal, if not fatal consequences. Yet here, writer and director Alan Brown addresses the issue of hate crime from a different perspective, by showcasing, with all too graphic realism, the physical and emotional aftermath of one such horrific attack.
For gay boy Brad has been left for dead in the middle of a corn field; naked, sexually abused and bleeding, the victim of yet another queer bashing in the land of the O Beautiful free. Desperate to somehow get out alive, his worst fears are realised when he sees the trainers of one of the men responsible for his bloody beating make an unwelcome return in his direction. Only here are things really what they appear to be? For high school jock Andy is not intent on starting where he left off. Rather this is a man with a conscience, having returned filled with remorse in a Christian bid to somehow make things right. But just how do you right such a hideous act?
For that is the crux of the matter, one that sees Andy lying from day one, blatantly declaring that he left before anything happened. The result is a work that takes the viewer on a journey that includes many a surprising, if at times awkward twist and turn, as personal details, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations come to show how reality, notably differs.
Only in delivering his character-driven short, Brown has cast traditional editing to the wind and for the main part, presented his work split-screen fashion. It is a technique that I dare say will be creative to some and downright irritating to others. Yet what it does allow, are the facial expressions of both actors to be on view throughout, theatre style. For here Jay Gillespie of WTC View credit gives a remarkably poignant portrayal of Brad, his look of sheer terror as David Clayton Rogers as Andy makes his return, vividly setting the stage for the two-way conversation of the piece.
Not an easy film to watch by any means, given we all know that such attacks take place and sadly with acts of conscience not to be found. Haunting - undoubtedly. Somewhat forced - yes. But equally a work that like such features as Beyond Hatred, The Laramie Project and The Matthew Shepard Story, has cinematically shone the spotlight on the issue of hate crime. And for that Brown is to be applauded.
|
