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Beyond Gravity and other Gay Shorts from New Zealand (15*) + introduction by Daniel Theophanous

Queer 80s

Two young men embrace each other in a dark city skyline.

Just a couple of years after New Zealand’s decriminalisation of same-sex activity came this charming romance between a neurotic gay man and a cocky Italian, showing alongside two key gay Kiwi shorts.

Richard (Robert Pollock) lives in Auckland with his sister and drives her and his mates up the wall with his obsession with the cosmos and the possible explosion of the sun. His life is upended when he meets Johnny (Iain Rea), an adventurous guy who encourages Richard to loosen up. Can their romance last or is the notion of opposites attracting just a myth?

Both leads share a cute chemistry and the sexual frankness of their relationship is surprising for a featurette made just two years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in New Zealand, which paved the way to the country becoming one of the most queer-friendly in the world.

Tagged with: Cinema Queer 80s Pride 2024

New Zealand 1988 dir Garth Maxwell 48 min

Daniel Theophanous

Daniel Theophanous is a London-based film critic who has contributed to publications such as Little White Lies, BFI, The Quietus, Hyperallergic and many others. His writing is primarily focused on LGBTQ+ cinema and he hosts queer film podcast Longtime Companion.

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