Actor: Matt Levett, Maya Stange, Jack Matthews, Harry Cook
Country: Australia
Category: Drama, Sport
Release Date: 25 Mar 2015
IMDB Rate: 5.7
Length: 93 min
Len is a Surf Lifesaving champion in the cloistered surf club just like his father. But when the younger, fitter Phil arrives at the club, Len’s legendary status starts to crumble. Then Len sees Phil in the company of another man. Phil is gay. Over the summer, Len forms unexpected, confusing feelings for Phil. When Phil de-thrones Len at the annual surf competition, Len and his buddy Meat take Phil out on an intoxicated bender through the seedy city. Jealousy, homophobic fear and unrequited lust culminate in a tragic late night trip back to beach where Len seeks total oblivion.
BẠO LỰC, GHEN TUÔNG, KHAO KHÁT VÀ MỌI ĐIỀU KHÁC KHI CHE GIẤU BẠN LÀ AI
Len là một tay vô địch lướt sóng cứu hộ ở một câu lạc bộ lướt sóng biệt lập giống như cha anh ta. Nhưng khi một gã thanh niên tên là Phil trẻ hơn và sung mãn hơn đến câu lạc bộ thì truyền thuyết về Len bắt đầu lung lay. Rồi Len nhìn thấy Phil bầu bạn với một gã đàn ông khác. Qua mùa hè, Len cảm thấy có những tình cảm bất ngờ rối rắm dành cho Phil. Khi Phil đánh bại Len ở kỳ thi đấu lướt sóng hằng năm, Len và bạn anh ta là Meat sau một cuộc chè chén say sưa đã đưa Phil ra khỏi vùng thành phố xơ xác. Nỗi ghen tuông, nỗi sợ hãi thành kiến với người đồng tính và dục vọng không được đáp trả cuối cùng đã dẫn đến bi kịch trên bãi biển vào tối khuya khi mà Len tìm kiếm sự lãng quên mãi mãi.
Marriage equality is a reality in America, but in Australia it is very much still a hope and dream. This Dean Francis film, adapted from the play Burnt by Stephen Davis, tells the non-linear story of three lifeguards which evolves quickly to a violent and tragic ending. Phil is a gay man who comes out to his hyper-masculine lifeguard friends and becomes the target of homophobic Len Smithy, who bullies him, beats him up, and eventually rapes and tortures him on a beach. Smithy has the forced assistance of their friend Meat (thus nicknamed for his huge penis and played by out actor Harry Cook, one of the film’s highlights and an actor overdue for some U.S. recognition).
Matt Levett (Len) and Jack Matthews (Phil) are also compelling actors who look great in speedos, but none of them can escape the jumbled, confusing script. If the story was told linearly, it might have been a dark, suspenseful drama that turns into a nightmarish horror movie, rather than a headache-inducing film whose horrific conclusion intends to impart a lesson about homophobia that ultimately flops.
MATT LEVETT - LEN
Matt Levett is an Australian actor best known for his work in the television series 'A Place To Call Home' and the Matchbox miniseries 'Devils Playground'. In 2015 he won the prestigious Heath Ledger Scholarship in Los Angeles. He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2009.
JACK MATTHEWS - PHIL
New Zealand born actor Jack Matthews appears as a gay surf lifesaver in the Australian film Drown which premiere’s at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney tonight.
Matthews, originally from Nelson, spoke with Eikon about the role of Phil in the film and his life growing up in New Zealand.
The independent film which has broken all box office records at the festival started as a crowd funding project.
Jack said that Drown was very exciting given the model of funding and support it received from the community.
“For the budget that we had we ended up coming off with a really incredible film,” Matthews said during the interview.
“We are looking at each other going holy crap is this an Australian Independent film?.”
The film, that was adapted from the play of the same name, unfolds on a beach at night as three lifesavers face the aftermath of a big night out in the city. It tackles the tough and sometimes horrific aspects of young mean at play, violence, homophobia and drug taking.
As a straight male teenager in New Zealand Jack had exposure to homophobia and bullying.
“Growing up in Nelson, one of my very good friends came out during high school and copped a lot of flack for it.
“I’m kinda sorry that he had to experience all of that, it was pretty brave of him.
“Thankfully, our ideas against homophobia are starting to shift especially in New Zealand with gay marriage but Australia is still lagging on that.”
Jack’s sister is gay and at the time when she came out his parent’s suggested they thought he would be the one that would come out not his sister.
“I think my parents first reaction was oh we always thought it was Jack.”
This role followed a small part in Australian soap Neighbours in 2012.
Jack said the filming experience on Drown was intense with very long days and nights on beaches across Sydney in next to nothing.
“The four of the main boys(lead actors) all bonded over the logistical stresses, two weeks of night shooting in mid Feb and being naked on a beach at night.
“There was no beer drinking, all these crazy training regimes to keep up with the shoot, training seven days a week sometimes twice a day.”
Jack’s parents will fly across from New Zealand to join Jack at the movie premiere tonight.
For Jack, he has already moved on to more acting training and preparing for trip to Los Angeles next year to advance his career.
“There’s been lots of auditions coming out of the states this year for pilot season, so I’ve been sending tapes back and forth.
“I’m just working and saving my pennies to get to LA next year.”
“New Zealand is of course home and certainly a place id like to come back to one day.”
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