LAST SUMMER
US, 2013, 73 minutes, Colour.
Samuel Pettit, Sean Rose, Robin Sullivant, Byron Taylor, Deb Lewis.
Directed by Mark Thiedemann.
While there is a core narrative basis for this film, it is more of a mood piece, more of a visual poem.
The potential audience has warning of the style of the film in the opening three minutes, quiet contemplation of wood, art, no hurry. And, throughout the film, classical music is used from Beethoven and Schumann. Clearly, the filmmaker has a love of art and the arts.
The Director’s films usually incorporate themes of homosexual relationships. Most of his films have been short films, glimpses, a contemporary poetic interpretation of Cain and Abel, two young men at a baths, Swimsuit. However, the film to recommend to understand the director’s work and his themes is the 39 minute short film, Sacred Hearts, Lost Souls, set in the Catholic boys’ boarding school, focusing on friendships, bullying, sexual preoccupations, physical activity and sport, a sympathetic counseller nun, a severe and old-fashioned priest principal. And, throughout the film, there are many stills of classic art, especially Caravaggio. There is also classic musical background, principally Chopin.
In this film, however, there are two young men during the summer before one of them goes off to college and the other, a sportsman but not a student, will remain in the Arkansas town. After the initial contemplation, there is a scene where the athlete talks to a teacher, sympathetic, explaining his situation, focusing on her responses. And, throughout the film, there are some of the townspeople, including one of the fathers, played by nonprofessional actors from the town. (Mark Thiedemann is from and Arkansas, studied in New York, but returned and has made all his films in Arkansas where he teaches.)
There are many scenes between the two boys. The relationship, friends since they were young boys together, seemingly easily accepted in the town. This is not a film about homophobia. Rather, it is a portrait of the two boys, glimpses rather than analysis, the realisation that they have to grow up, that some people have to move away from their homes while others feel contented and do not want to move away.
Certainly not a film from the mainstream audience, but a specialist film for those who enjoy visual art, classical music, portrait of people.
