Shank (2009) directed by Simon Pearce

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: Simon Pearce

Writers: Darren Flaxstone (written by)
Christian Martin (written by)

Release Date: 11 September 2009 (UK)
23 April 2009 (Torino Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Italy)
1 May 2009 (Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, USA)

Genre: Drama

Tagline: Worlds collide between three strangers divided by economics, social status, gender, race and sexuality

Plot: Though gang member Cal (Wayne Virgo) hides his sexuality, he secretly yearns for fellow thug Jonno (Tom Bott). But after Cal saves Olivier (Marc Laurent), the victim of a gay-bashing by the gang, he embarks on a tender romance with the gentle student. Now the gang's manipulative leader, Nessa (Alice Payne), is out for revenge. Simon Pearce makes his directorial debut with this gritty British drama.

"The most thrilling, terrifying coming-out story you’ll have seen in years" - Gay Times

"This is as exciting and urgent as street-level filmmaking gets" - Shadows on the Wall

"Compelling, excruciating, uncompromising, Shank is a beautiful, brutal film that portrays contemporary society in all its unlovely and lovely glory" - GaydarNation

Awards: 2009 Audience Award as Best Feature Film (Christian Martin, Darren Flaxstone, Simon Pearce), Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
2009 Emerging Talent in Queer Cinema Award (Simon Pearce), Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

@IMDb
@Amazon: Shank - Unrated Director Cut
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video











Cast (in credits order)
Wayne Virgo ... Cal
Marc Laurent ... Olivier
Alice Payne ... Nessa
Tom Bott ... Jonno
Garry Summers ... Scott
Bernie Hodges ... Will
Christian Martin ... David
Louise Fearnside ... Dayna
Oliver Park ... Gang Member 1
Lee Nicholas Harris ... Gang Member


Cal & Olivier


Jonno & Scott

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Shank was an unexpected romance. I was weary to see it since I was expecting the usual angst drama coming of age movie, where, more or less, all the main characters don't end in a good way. In those movies usually there is no hope, and when the close titles comes out, you have a bitter taste in your mouth. Shank instead is for sure an hard movie, there is a lot of violence, and there are also some output of the story that are really sad, but there is the love and the hope. Cal and Olivier manage to have their love, and the scenes when they are alone, far from the world, are so tender. The seducing scene Olivier set up for Cal is really beautiful. Again, I didn't expect to like this movie, and there are for sure points of improvement, but it's for sure above the average of all the other small budget movie.

[tamara-allen.livejournal.com]

I read a review of this a long while ago and thought it sounded very different and interesting. Then I forgot about it.:D Thanks for the reminder.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

For me it was a nice surprise, I hope you will enjoy it too. Elisa