I'm not sure what the complaining is all about. This is a good film.
While this short is "for" Kenneth Anger, it doesn't claim to be in the same style. But it does have something in common with Fireworks (1947). As a side note, Dean Francis' more recent short film Boys Grammar (2005) also covers similar ground. And O Beautiful (2002) by Alan Brown may also be of interest for comparison.
The intersection of adolescence, homophobia, and gay desire is always going to be an area worth talking about, and there will always be something new to say, or a new perspective to show, because new people are living it all the time. I think what's unique about this one is that it dares to frankly show a victim who triumphantly turns all that happens to him to his advantage, as a either a masochist, or one who appreciates gallows humour.
The title (and second dedication) refer to Anthony Hecht's poem The Feast of Stephen, which in turn references the characters Stephen and Saul from the New Testament. Not being a New Testament scholar, I am not aware of any link (beyond the names and general power relationship) between Stephen and Saul of the New Testament, and Stephen and Saul of the poem. In the short film, there is no Saul at all, which disappointed me. There should be a member of the group who refuses to take part, but who watches it all happen. Maybe we, the audience, are supposed to be Saul.
There are some lines which do seem represented well in the film: "Boys for the first time frankly eye each other, Inspect each others' bodies at close range," and "Felt in the tingling bruises of collision, And known to captains as esprit de corps." In particular, this is captured fairly well: "Think of those barren places where men gather To act in the terrible name of rectitude, Of acned shame, punk's pride, muscle or turf, The bully's thin superiority." Others are there, but not exactly: "The bounced basketball sound of a leather whip." and "They go to arm themselves at the dry-stone wall," Some aren't there at all: "The rope, the chains, handcuffs and gasoline."
The overall feel of the poem, of athletic bonding leading to concealed aggression and then open persecution of others, is transmitted by the film. And excluding the ending which probably doesn't resonate with many, the short certainly captures a part of what it's like to be a gay teen, learning most of the people you find attractive are going to be off limits for one reason or another.
While this short is "for" Kenneth Anger, it doesn't claim to be in the same style. But it does have something in common with Fireworks (1947). As a side note, Dean Francis' more recent short film Boys Grammar (2005) also covers similar ground. And O Beautiful (2002) by Alan Brown may also be of interest for comparison.
The intersection of adolescence, homophobia, and gay desire is always going to be an area worth talking about, and there will always be something new to say, or a new perspective to show, because new people are living it all the time. I think what's unique about this one is that it dares to frankly show a victim who triumphantly turns all that happens to him to his advantage, as a either a masochist, or one who appreciates gallows humour.
The title (and second dedication) refer to Anthony Hecht's poem The Feast of Stephen, which in turn references the characters Stephen and Saul from the New Testament. Not being a New Testament scholar, I am not aware of any link (beyond the names and general power relationship) between Stephen and Saul of the New Testament, and Stephen and Saul of the poem. In the short film, there is no Saul at all, which disappointed me. There should be a member of the group who refuses to take part, but who watches it all happen. Maybe we, the audience, are supposed to be Saul.
There are some lines which do seem represented well in the film: "Boys for the first time frankly eye each other, Inspect each others' bodies at close range," and "Felt in the tingling bruises of collision, And known to captains as esprit de corps." In particular, this is captured fairly well: "Think of those barren places where men gather To act in the terrible name of rectitude, Of acned shame, punk's pride, muscle or turf, The bully's thin superiority." Others are there, but not exactly: "The bounced basketball sound of a leather whip." and "They go to arm themselves at the dry-stone wall," Some aren't there at all: "The rope, the chains, handcuffs and gasoline."
The overall feel of the poem, of athletic bonding leading to concealed aggression and then open persecution of others, is transmitted by the film. And excluding the ending which probably doesn't resonate with many, the short certainly captures a part of what it's like to be a gay teen, learning most of the people you find attractive are going to be off limits for one reason or another.