Remember Brad Rowe from "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" almost a decade ago? He came oh-so close to kissing Sean Hayes but left him, and us, frustrated. In "Shelter," the Jonah Markowitz film that is to be the dramatic centerpiece selection at next month's Outfest 2007, he seals the deal with co-star Trevor Knight. I saw a preview reel of Outfest selections this week and saw the liplocks with my very own bloodshot eyes.
"Shelter" I believe is the first gay surfing flick which is great because, duh, dudes in westsuits. Rowe plays Shaun to Knight's Zach. They begin hanging out as surf buddies and the electricity between them is undeniable and they become lovers.
Markowitz told us this week that audiences are ready for all kinds of genres of LGBT films rather than the usual coming out stories: "I think we can take it to a different level. Your whole identity isn't settled because you come out and accept that you're gay. I think that's a big change."
"Shelter" will screen at Outfest on Wednesday,July 18 at 8:30 p.m. and the Ford Ampitheater.