There has hardly ever been a feature film that portrays gay love and sex in such a direct, intense, romantic and authentic way. With "Théo & Hugo", Parisian filmmakers Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau have created a true masterpiece.
The opening sequence is probably the longest sex scene in the world. "Théo and Hugo" gets down to business for almost 20 minutes. In the rampant goings-on in a Parisian sex club, the two eponymous heroes find each other in the midst of the crowd. The directing duo Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau ("Felix", "Seafood") show the uninhibited orgy in orange-red light in all its explicit detail. But with a visual language that clearly sets itself apart from the stereotypes of porn films. The French filmmaking duo succeed in making passion, sexual greed and desire tangible in images.
Emotional rollercoaster ride
When Théo and Hugo later leave the club together, their exuberant happiness suddenly turns into panic and horror! It now becomes clear that Théo skipped the condom while fucking - and that Hugo is HIV-positive. "I want to kiss you and smack you at the same time," is Théo's reaction to this news.
The film accompanies the couple on their emotional rollercoaster ride and on their journey through Paris at night. From the hospital, where they receive "post-exposure prophylaxis" (PEP). From the first relationship dispute in the cruising park to a falafel breakfast in a snack bar at dawn.
Stunning charm and convincing naturalness
By the time they finally arrive at Hugo's flat on the outskirts of the city on the first metro, the two men have got to know each other not only physically but also mentally. All the more so as they have gone through almost all the stages of a relationship: Desire and passion, the search for closeness and trust, but also insecurity and disappointment. Have they found the love of their lives? Some parts of this nocturnal tour de force may seem a little contrived or somewhat pedagogical. The encounters with strange night owls, for example, the empathetic counselling session with the doctor at the hospital, Théo and Hugo's fundamental discussion about safer sex and responsibility. However, the two leading actors Geoffrey Couët and François Nambot also master these scenes with stunning charm and convincing naturalness.
One of the best and most important gay films of this year
The film's drastic and direct opening may be a challenge for some viewers. But regardless of this, what develops is a deeply touching, tender and, above all, very contemporary love story that is unique in queer cinema to date.
In short, this is not the only reason why "Théo & Hugo" is definitely one of the best and most important gay films of this year. And in this respect, it is possibly even more so. At the Berlinale, "Théo and Hugo" was rightly honoured with the Teddy Award Audience Award and has also been awarded prizes at five other festivals.
Info and trailer: http://queerfilmnacht.de
You can read a detailed interview with the two filmmakers here in the next few days.
"Théo & Hugo". France 2016, directed by Olivier Ducastel & Jacques Martineau. With Geoffrey Couët, François Nambot and others,
97 minutes, OmU. Cinema release: 20 October.
