First-time film director Harry Lighton raked in some good reviews when he premiered his film PILLON at Cannes earlier this year, where it picked up two awards at A Certain Regard.  One of them was the Palm Mutt For Rosie, a Dachshund Hippo and a Rottweiler. (and that’s a first for us!) 

Leighton based his script on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, its the story of Colin (Harry Melling) is an awkward traffic warden who is singing in a quartet with his father when he runs into Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) an impossibly handsome bike.  Not long after, Ray initiates Colin into a BDSM relationship, and on their first encounter, he forces Colin to his knees where he discovers that this shy Brit is not that experienced at oral sex. Ray has gone through men like Colin before in his life, and we will eventually meet a whole group of biker/slave couples, but this is all new for Colin, and he loves it, even if he can’t bring Ray home to meet Mom and Dad.

“Pillion” is fascinating in its depiction of how satisfied people can be in sexually charged dynamics that some might consider unusual. After all, Ray says, just because what they are might make you uncomfortable shouldn’t be their problem. Skarsgård as always is stunning in this role which will re-confirm his status as an icon to the queer community,  but young Melling (known for his roles in Harry Potter) is quite the discovery in this very challenging role that will certain shock the very uptight J K Rowling.

Pillon is slated for a theatrical release in  the US in February so we guessing that A24 dont think its Oscar worthy. Shame that