Boys Life 5
Boys Life 5 is the fifth installment of the Boys Life series, which collects LGBT-related short films. Distributed by Strand Releasing. It is an anthology of short films about unrequited love. Director Eytan Fox returned to similar subject matter in his full-length Yossi & Jagger (2002); filmmaker Michael Burke expanded "Fishbelly White" into the full-length film The Mudge Boy (2003); and Adam Salky (director) (along with original writer David Brind) expanded and remade Dare into a full-length feature film, also entitled Dare (2009).
Boys Life 5 consists of the following segments:
"Fishbelly White" chronicles the rural isolation of childlike Duncan (Mickey Smith), who's been lonely since his mother's death. Because his care-worn father ignores him, Duncan befriends the farm animals and adopts a chicken as his pet. Abused by his own father, an older adolescent named Perry (Jason Hayes) takes a shine to the outcast. Proclaiming they aren't gay, Duncan and Perry suppress a mutual attraction that would outrage Perry's macho friends. Directed by Michael Burke.
- Late Summer (2001; Director/Writer: David Ottenhouse)
"Late Summer" deals with the sort of unspecified childhood crush that both gays and straights have experienced. After his parents die in a car crash, Adam goes to live with an aunt and uncle; Adam's popular cousin Josh (Chris Nee) takes him under his wing. Responding to this all-American teen's guidance, the sheltered Adam learns how to skateboard and use a still-camera. Frozen in time, one picture celebrates how Josh lives on in his younger cousin's heart. Directed by David Ottenhouse.
"Time Off" offers viewers a tour of duty with Israeli soldiers during the First Lebanon War, in 1982. In a bivouac, sensitive Yonatan (Hanoch Re'im) wonders why gung-ho Lieutenant Erez (Gil Frank) picks on him. On leave in the city, Yonatan discovers the answer, when he wanders into a known gay pick-up spot. Directed by Eytan Fox.
- Dare (2005; Director/Writer: Adam Salky/David Brind)
In "Dare," Ben (Adam Fleming), a teenage techie, shines a spotlight on Johnny (Michael Cassidy), a jock stumbling through the lead in the school play. Keeping his adoration a secret, the backstage crewmember offers to run lines with the athlete. At Johnny's house, Ben drinks and jokes provocatively with his crush. After some good-natured teasing, the two teens take a dip in the pool. An exchange of confidences weaves a spell broken by the intrusion of classmates.
The Mudge Boy is a 2003 American drama film directed by Michael Burke, based on Burke's 1998 short film Fishbelly White which was featured in the compilation Boys Life 5. It stars Emile Hirsch, Tom Guiry, and Richard Jenkins. It was produced by Elizabeth W. Alexander and distributed by Showtime after its release at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.
Paul Bartel was an American actor, writer and director. He was perhaps most known for his 1982 hit black comedy Eating Raoul, which he wrote, starred in and directed.
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