TQS Staff
I reviewed Boys on Film 6 Pacific Rim a few weeks ago over at Hope Lies and was so taken by the collection I’m gradually working my way back through the series on TQS. The fourth in the series carries the strap line Protect Me From What I Want – a theme reflected in the films by the character’s often conflicting desires. Here we take you through our favourite 3 shorts from this collection.
Trevor
If you manage to sit through fast-forward Ellen Degeneres’ gushing introduction you’ll be duly rewarded by this Oscar winning short film. The Dear-Diary style narrative follows Trevor through from his admissions of a passion for musical theatre, Diana Ross and affection for his schoolmate Pinky to his faux-suicide cries for help until he ultimately tries to kill himself for real by an overdose. A classic coming of age story Trevor highlights the confused and conflicted feelings of a young teenager coming to terms with their sexuality which can lead to suicide. Perhaps ahead of its time with schemes like the It Gets Better Project trying to address this issue, Trevor brings to the fore an important concern in a charming and entertaining way.
Protect Me From What I Want
The eponymous title from the collection is an interesting boy meets boy story following Daz & Saleem from meeting in an apparent cruising spot. I say apparent because I’ve lived in Leeds for 5 years and recognize exactly where they met and as far as I know it’s certainly not a cruising ground. Daz is clearly comfortable with himself and his sexuality whereas Daz still hasn’t quite accepted. A fleeting meeting leads to them sleeping together in a very well done sex-scene, managing to portray lust and romance in equal measure. After the rendez-vous Saleem leaves and is walking away, leaving Daz on the balcony desperately wishing him to look back. An excellent exploration of conflicting expectations from one night stands Protect Me From What I Want succeeds in highlighting the complications of young romance.
Steam
Steam starts with 2 strangers in a sauna how shall we put it, giving each other a hand, in a sauna. One is obviously accustomed to this behaviour but the other is visibly ashamed of himself. Upon trying to leave, the men can’t find the door turning the short into a budget horror with the men’s reactions being highly unbelievable. However, the film than takes a surreal turn with the first man starting to hear the noise of a busy café and a conversation he is having with a waitress, the short then takes a fascinating twist which we won’t spoil for you here but it’s well worth a watch.
