This gritty cutting-edge drama is a part of a new genre from contemporary queer filmmakers that show another side of gay life. ‘Shank’ is no cozy affair; void of the cliché plot devices typical of a coming-of-age story, this is a film that is refreshingly shocking, very explicit, and painful at parts, but under the surface of violence, hatred, and confusion there is also more than a streak of tenderness too.
Cal (Wayne Virgo) is an 18-year-old member of a gang who wiles their days away in a haze of drugs, sex and random acts of violence. He is desperate that the other members do not discover that not only is he struggling to come to terms with being gay, but also his unspoken desire for his best mate. A chance encounter with a French Student (Marc Laurent) who treats him with love and kindness gives this tough thug his first meaningful relationship. However, the other gang members are reluctant to lose one of their own and so engineer an explosive confrontation that leaves no one unscathed and everyone traumatized.
This brilliant debut from 21-year-old director Simon Pearce is compelling, completely unique, and full of energy with its fresh take on a slice of British gay youth culture, and is a must-see for anyone that loves movies that shake you up a bit.
Winner of the first ROGER WALKER-DACK AWARD for cutting-edge gay cinema.
Labels: 2009, British, coming of age, drama, explicit, gay, violent
