While we’re fortunate to have as many LGBT film festivals as we do, it’s a shame that most of the time gay-themed shorts stay in gay film festivals and find it difficult to get much traction at other types of fest. However The Naturalist caused a few waves when it first emerged in 2012 as it one one of the first gay-themed sci-fi films and its genre straddling allowed it to screen beyond the gay film festival circuit.
Now the high concept short is available online and you can watch it below.
The Naturalist is set in a future where mankind is obsessed with genetic ‘perfection’, something they’ve decided homosexuality doesn’t fit into (by the looks of it, being gay is far too hipster-ish for society at large).
Simon and Oliver are a gay couple living a quiet existence, until their genetic ‘anomaly’ is discovered. Threatened with being relocated away from the ‘perfect’ people, Simon must make a very tough decision – he can be genetically modified to become straight, but that will mean leaving behind the love of his life and changing the person he is at a core level.
It’s an interesting film and thought provoking as it explores the nature of sexuality and whether even if being gay was a choice, whether being straight would be the choice everyone would want. Take a look below.
If you know a short film we ought to be posting, tell us by getting in touch via our contact page. And check out more gay short films and web series here.
Leave a Reply (if comment does not appear immediately, it may have been held for moderation)