Safe Place, A

Gutman's first short film explores a high school boy's struggle with his emerging gay identity. Danny fakes a stomach ache so that he can avoid playing football and go to the cinema. His perspective is that of a young man on the verge of discovering his sexuality; the world is filled with straight couples and the longing stares of gay men.   In a dream sequence reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty, his tentative touch wakes a naked man and signifies his own awakening. After avoiding a gay sexual encounter in the cinema, he returns there to find whatever the promise of the dark theatre holds. This short is a wonderful story of sexuality, individuality and adulthood.

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