BROKEBACK SURFING

SHELTER

When was the last time that you were moved by a gay film? Even if you're a straight dude or a confused guy? Of course, no one can deny that Brokeback Mountain comes first into our mind. In that award winning film, we have Cowboy meets Cowboy then they fell in love. Here, the film targets the young audience. The liberated young viewers who can easily relate in this coming out indie film.Let's meet the good looking surf dude who fell in love with another surf hunk. Let's surf now!

Shelter tells a story about Zach played by Trevor Wright. I'm not even familiar with him. But the moment you see him he really strikes you! Zach is an aspiring young artist reduced to painting neighborhood walls in his unfortunate San Pedro neighborhood after turning down a scholarship to stay home and help raise his single sister's 5-year-old kid. He's frustrated career-wise and personally, trapped in the final stages of a teen romance with a young woman, finding scenic solace in surfing and beach life. His best friend Gabe is a wealthy guy who's off to college, but that friend's older gay brother, Shaun played by another talented unknown actor Brad Rowe, is back home in the family seaside manse, where Zach stores his surfboard. A chance encounter, a renewed friendship and a spell of drunken bonding set up the rest, a host of conflicted, indecisive emotions about coming out on Zach's part that take up the bulk of the film.

The story is quiet typical and palpably predictable, but the film captures the special beauty, exhilaration and pain of young love and somehow pulls out unexplained delight in the process. This film will be enjoyed and loved by the new discreet generation. This film is for them. Brokeback Mountain may be on apical but Shelter is riding along the waves of glory in Hollywood.

I must say the the love scene between Zach & Shaun is tasteful. It is not titillating but it is invigorating. Does it sound good? It's the same feeling when I first saw the love scene between the late Heath Ledger & Jake Gylenhall in Brokeback Mountain. It is intense and this one kinda rocks!!!! There are lot of kissing scenes between the two actors and they are really serious and thrilling. These two promising actors have a very good chemistry. I simply adore Trevor Wright's acting. He is really amazing.I'm hoping too see more of him soon. You know what, hours after watching this film I still couldn't believe that I was still giggling and hugging my pillow just by looking back those sweet scenes from them.

What's also amazing in Shelter is the pretty cinematography by Joseph White. I love watching the golden sunset in San Pedro, California and of course the rolling inviting waves of the ocean. Writer and Director Jonah Markowits totally delivers a wonderful film. Hats off to him!

The greatest element in the film for me??? Guess what? The music and the songs! The original score by J. Peter Robinson is magical. I just can't help myself from melting everytime I hear his amazing score for the film. It fits perfectly. It is hip and totally mellifluous. The songs are so cool too! I love everything they play in the film as background music. I'm not even familiar with the songs and the artists are not even popular. I can't wait to purchase to OST now. The songs are captivating.

Oh by the way, I did some research and Shelter have won these awards so far: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival –Best New Director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007,Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival-Favorite Narrative Feature, 2007,Vancouver Queer Film Festival – People’s Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007,Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival –Best Actor (Trevor Wright), 2007. Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Audience Award for Best Cinematography (Joseph White)2007, Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Won, Special Award for first-time director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007, Dallas OUT TAKES – Won, Best Film, 2007,Outfest –HBO Outstanding First Dramatic Feature (Jonah Markowitz), 2007 and Melbourne Queer Film Festival – Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007.

Shelter is definitely a “must see film”. The DVD is released already in the US. You may purchase it via online now. One word for the film : CUTE!

RATING : 5 / 5 *