Will O The Wisp is director Joao Pedro Rodrigues’ unique queer fantasy romantic musical comedy. Both sexy and fun, prepare yourself for an unforgettable hour of craziness.
We begin in the erotic year 2069. Portuguese King Alfredo (Joel Branco) is farting away on his deathbed, reminiscing about his youth as a volunteer firefighter when he met the love of his life, his handsome trainer Afonso (Andre Cabral).
We then shoot back to 2011. Following a news report on devastating forest fires, the young Alfredo (now played by Mauro Costa) announces to his bewildered parents at the royal dinner table that he intends to become a firefighter. Despite his mother’s protestations as he recites Greta Thunberg’s famous “How Dare You!” speech, he follows through on his dream and a couple of years later joins the local fire department. There, he is taken under the wing of his trainer Afonso who initiates him into the team. The fire brigade turn out to be a very sexy bunch of men who spend a lot of time hanging out just in jockstraps or completely naked. Homoerotic training exercises are interspersed with sexy dance routines and a nude calendar shoot where the hot guys recreate famous scenes from art masterpieces. All against a musical backdrop ranging from classic Portuguese fado chants to more contemporary pop music.
A range of themes, including climate change, race, fascism and colonialism, combined with comedy moments and a nod to art history, bring the two men together and they develop a sexual relationship. Amalia Rodrigues’s racist fado song is played as the two men have sex in a burnt-out forest, finishing with a funny cum-shot scene. Another humorous moment is when the two men look through a selection of dick pics, comparing them to various tree types. Will the unlikely prince and the pauper be able to survive the challenges to their love?
Brilliantly shot, with great art direction and a twinkle in its eye, Will O The Wisp is sexy, fast-paced, unpredictable and will leave you open-mouthed at times. Strong choreography by Madalena Xavier gives the film a good rhythm and good casting makes the surrealness feel authentic. Rodrigues took a risk with this film and it has paid off. Lots of fun. A unique queer art-house masterpiece.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
