What Were the 10 Sexiest Gay Love Scenes of 2021?
What defines a sexy scene in a movie? Does it mean actual simulated sex? Sometimes. But, more often, it's a feeling, something visceral. A tingling... certain sensations. You know it when you experience it. It could often be a kiss, followed by more. Over the course of a repressed narrative, it might culminate in a word or touch. In gay-themed films, it is often quite a bit more, but not always.
This year has provided a cornucopia of these moments in gay-themed cinema. Here is a list of some of the best male-avec-male moments in 2021 (and a few I saw at festivals in 2021, that are coming up in the months ahead).
'Moffie'
The word "Moffie" is akin to "faggot" in South Africa. Oliver Hermanus's film explores a young gay man's coming of age on the Angolan war front in the early '80s when being queer was treated as an illness that needed to be cured. Hermanus's examination of the self-hate and bizarre homoerotic soldier camaraderie fascinates, as does his presentation of harsh homophobia. At the movie's core is a brief but potent love story between our lead, Nicholas (an impressive Kai Luke Brummer), and an unconventional squad member, Stassen (Ryan de Villiers). The two are forced to spend a very cold, wet night in the trenches, and Nicholas reluctantly shares a sleeping bag with Stassen, naked. When Nicholas finally turns around, the scene becomes one for the tender, sexy books.
"Moffie" is available to stream on Hulu, Apple TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime.
'Minyan'
Eric Steel's arresting "Minyan," set in 1986, centers on David (Samuel H. Levine), a closeted teen coming to terms with his attraction to men amidst the backdrop of the Russian Jewish world of Brighton Beach. A few lofty themes are examined, but the film truly soars when it focuses on David's journey. In pivotal scene, he gets wasted and awakens in a strange bed, which turns out to be that of a sexy bartender, Bruno (Alex Hurt), who is sleeping bare-assed on the couch. Soon enough, they're in bed together and Bruno has turned David onto his stomach, spit on his hand, and entered him. It's David's first time. The scene is graphic, authentic and hot!
"Minyan" (released via Strand) is available to stream on Vudu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
'Beyto'
"Do you know why I'm gay? Because it's beautiful. Because it's me." These words are spoken by Mike (Ecem Aydi), a hunky German swim coach as he gets to know his closeted Turkish crush, Beyto (Burak Ates), in Gitta Gsell's deeply affecting film about cultural intolerance. This specific chat leads to a passionate kiss (and just a bit more) that stays with the viewer long after the familial insanity ensues.
"Beyto" is currently on DVD via Dark Star Pictures and can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Vudu, and Apple TV.
'Summer of 85'
French filmmaker François Ozon's seductive look at a 1980s love affair between two teen boys (played smashingly by newcomers Félix Lefebvre and Benjamin Voisin) of different classes in Normandy blends romance and horror, but there are enough scenes of the former, especially during the courtship phase, to keep things sexy — like a shirtless wound being tended to in front of a mirror that leads to a sensual kiss a few scenes later. But the most erotic scene involves the camera following Voisin's fingers running up Lefebvre's naked derriere, then up to the back of his head, stroking ever so sensually. We usually only get moments like this in straight love scenes. Thank you, Ozon!
"Summer of 85" is available to stream on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Showtime, and Apple TV.
'The Man with the Answers'
In Stelios Kammitsis's "The Man with the Answers," twentysomething hottie Victor (an excellent Vasilis Magouliotis) departs Greece and meets nosy Matthias (Anton Weil) on a pilgrimage to find his mother in Bavaria. Victor is inhibited, and their personalities clash. Matthias isn't even sure Victor's gay — although something's going on. In the film's final quarter, the two are alone in a hotel, sleeping back to back. Matthias turns around, eyes closed. Victor turns and begins caressing Matthias's hair. They kiss. Soon they wrap their bodies around one another. It's a culmination. The viewer can exhale.
"The Man with the Answers" will be available on DVD in January from Kino Lorber.
'Cicada'
The opening of Matt Fifer and Kieran Mulcare's stirring "Cicada" has the central character, Ben (hottie Fifer), admitting that he's "back on the dick," which means fucking himself ragged after being fairly celibate. That is, until he meets Sam (Sheldon D. Brown), who prompts him to delve deep and come to terms with his past. While the film is loaded with nudity and sex, the most sensual scene occurs after the couple first meet and go up to Ben's roof. Sitting close to one another, hands touching, the film cuts to a kiss and then the two lying in bed getting to know one another. The desire is palpable, but the restraint is even sexier.
"Cicada" is available to stream on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and Vudu.
And yes...
'The Power of the Dog'
For those who haven't seen Jane Campion's beguiling western thriller "The Power of the Dog," what are you waiting for? This hypnotic cinematic masterwork, set a century ago, depicts sexually repressed ranch owner Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) grappling with his same-sex feelings. In the final scene that Phil and young Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) share, the sexual tension is so thick that the sequence itself can be seen as a cinematic orgasm, despite the fact that no clothes are shed. And Peter is totally in control. It's one of the most sexually-charged moments in current mainstream cinema.
"The Power of the Dog" is currently streaming on Netflix.
And 3 to Look Forward to in Early 2022:
'Great Freedom'
Sebastian Meise's "Great Freedom" chronicles the damnation brought on gays in Germany thanks to Paragraph 175, which imprisoned men for homosexual acts. This transfixing film spans more than two decades, post-WWII, and chronicles the prison life of Hans (brilliant Franz Rogowski), who, despite a legion of humiliations, continues to seek love. Midway through, Hans has discovered a way for himself and his true love, Oskar (Thomas Prenn), to be together, via an outdoor punishment cell. The law has made it impossible for the two men to share a life. Hans is still hopeful. Oskar's hope is waning. Despite the grim locale, the scene is sexy as hell because of how much these two love each other. "Great Freedom" is harsh, and angry, and complicated, and erotically charged — it's a potent reminder of the importance of remembering queer history.
"Great Freedom"�will open theatrically in NYC on March 4, 2022, at Film Forum and expand nationwide.
'Firebird'
The Cold War thriller "Firebird" might just be the sexiest film of the year. Okay, of next year. It is certainly chock-full of inventively steamy queer moments that amount to a full gay coming of age experience. Exploring the taboo love between Sergey (Tom Prior), an Estonian private, and Roman (Oleg Zagordnii), his Lieutenant, in the late '70s, we first witness Sergey's initial excitement around Roman, especially in a sensual photo developing scene. Then comes Sergey's first kiss (right after, it begins to rain), followed later by his first wank while in the sea against a giant rock. (In reality it might not be ideal, but onscreen it looks magnificent). Later, with great tenderness, we observe his first time. All these important "firsts" in Act One, help to shape who Sergey becomes in Act Two. It's a superb accomplishment.
"Firebird" will be released in late spring, 2022.
'Mascarpone'
The Italian gem "Mascarpone" centers on yummy Antonio (Giancarlo Commare), a young gay man whose husband breaks up with him after 12 years. He must now learn to stop living by some set of societally set "happily ever after" rules and start figuring out his own wants and needs. When he finally consummates a growing lust for the scorchin' Luca (Gianmarco Saurino), a randy baker, sparks fly — and so do clothes. The sub-searing scene is set at 450 degrees. At least!
"Mascarpone" will be released in April, 2022.