ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Balloons

By Leave a Comment

BalloonsIsaiah Henderson’s “Balloons” isn’t just a short film; it’s a gut punch wrapped in eight minutes of raw emotion. If you’ve ever navigated the treacherous waters of a love that’s vibrant behind closed doors but shrouded in fear in public, this one will resonate deeply.

The film delicately peels back the layers of shame, first love, and the ache of losing someone before you could truly have them. Keller Kennedy and Braeden Steele deliver performances that are both vulnerable and captivating, drawing you into their intimate yet fragile world. The film doesn’t shy away from the complexities of internalised homophobia and the pain it inflicts.

Henderson’s direction is both poetic and unflinching, using visual storytelling to amplify the emotional weight of the narrative. Andrew Snakez’s music elevates the film’s atmosphere, underscoring the bittersweet beauty of the story.

“Balloons” is more than just a coming-of-age story; it’s a poignant reflection on the courage it takes to love openly, and the scars left by those who can’t. It’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates queer cinema that dares to explore the messy realities of love and identity.Balloons

 

#BalloonsFilm #GayFilm #LGBTQ #QueerCinema #ShortFilm #LoveStory #GayLove #IndieFilm #FilmReview #EmotionalFilm

 

Links:

 

Un Invincible Été

By Leave a Comment

Un Invincible Été: A Tender Coming-of-Age Story

Un invincible étéA Brief but Powerful Exploration of Teenage Desire and Self-Discovery

Arnaud Dufeys’ short film Un Invincible Été captures a pivotal moment in adolescence with remarkable sensitivity and restraint. In just a brief runtime, the film manages to convey the complexity of teenage sexuality, vulnerability, and the sometimes uncomfortable gap between expectation and reality.

The premise is deceptively simple: 16-year-old Clément (Vadiel Gonzalez Lardued), bored and restless during a hot summer evening by the pool, decides tonight’s the night he’ll lose his virginity. Armed with Grindr and a lie about his age, he arranges to meet 24-year-old Naël. What follows is a delicate portrait of anticipation, nervous energy, and ultimately, a different kind of awakening than Clément expected.

What makes this film particularly effective is its refusal to sensationalize. Writer Nicolas Moulin crafts a narrative that understands the urgency and single-mindedness of teenage desire while also acknowledging the emotional complexity beneath it. The film’s turning point—when Clément encounters a body “completely different from Naël’s”—becomes not just about physical intimacy but about accepting reality versus fantasy, and the messy, imperfect nature of growing up.

The performances are naturalistic and unforced, particularly Gonzalez Lardued’s portrayal of Clément’s mix of bravado and uncertainty. Dufeys directs with a light touch, letting moments breathe and trusting his audience to read between the lines. The summer setting—the pool, the heat, the isolation—creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly captures that strange liminal space of adolescence.

Un Invincible Été doesn’t provide easy answers or moralize about its subject matter. Instead, it offers an honest, empathetic glimpse into a formative moment, reminding us that coming of age is rarely about grand revelations but rather small, sometimes awkward moments of truth that shape who we become.

A thoughtful, mature short that lingers in the mind long after its brief runtime.

 

Un invincible été Un invincible été Un invincible été Un invincible été

Links:

 

#UnInvincibleÉté #GayShortFilm #LGBTQCinema #QueerCinema #FrenchFilm #ComingOfAge #ShortFilm #GayMovie #QueerFilm #IndieFilm #LGBTQShort #GayTeen #FrenchCinema #ArnaudDufeys #SummerFilm #QueerStory #GayRomance #ShortFilmReview #LGBTQ #QueerMedia

Kiss Me Softly – Movie Review

By Leave a Comment

 

Kiss Me SoftlyIn Anthony Schatteman’s tender 16-minute short Kiss Me Softly, music becomes both a weight of expectation and a pathway to self-discovery. The film follows Jasper (Ezra Fieremans), the son of a well-known schlager singer, who longs not just to inherit the family legacy, but to express it in a way that feels true to himself. It’s a familiar generational clash—tradition against individuality—but Schatteman infuses it with the intimacy of queer awakening.

Fieremans carries Jasper with a mix of quiet restraint and smouldering vulnerability. His performance hints at the complexity of growing up in the shadow of someone else’s stage, while harbouring a desire to step into the spotlight on his terms. Tim Bogaerts offers a grounded counterpoint, bringing warmth and sensitivity to the role of Jasper’s love interest. Their chemistry provides the film’s most affecting moments: unspoken touches, fleeting glances, and the courage found in a kiss.

Marijke Pinoy, as the mother, delivers a gentle but firm portrayal of familial expectation—never villainous, but still bound by tradition. Her presence adds texture to the story, reminding us that pressure often comes from love, even if misplaced.

Visually, the film is sleek and atmospheric, balancing the bright artifice of the schlager world with the softer, more natural palette of Jasper’s private life. Schatteman’s direction avoids melodrama, instead capturing a tone of quiet rebellion. At its heart, Kiss Me Softly is not just about claiming a song, but about claiming identity—the courage to love, to sing, and to exist authentically.Kiss Me Softly Kiss Me Softly

Though short, the film lingers long after its closing note. It’s a love letter to the act of living truthfully, and a reminder that even within the most glittering traditions, there’s always room for a new voice.

Director – Anthony Schatteman
Writer – Anthony Schatteman
Stars – Ezra Fieremans, Tim Bogaerts, Marijke Pinoy

 

 

Links:

 

Orange Cheesecake – a gay movie review

By Leave a Comment

Orange CheesecakeThe movie is “Orange Cheesecake,” a short film that came out in 2025. It’s a gay short film directed by Sam Liddell, with Harry Jenkins serving as the producer. The story centers around Joe, who gets invited to dinner, and as the night progresses, tensions start to rise as his father’s true intentions come to light. On IMDb, some user reviews describe it as “sweet, sad, and awkward,” capturing the film’s emotional complexity.

 

 

Links: