I've been watching many Outfest 2007 screeners in recent days in anticipation of the LA gay and lesbian film festival which opens tomorrow. So far, my faves have included "The Curiosity of Chance," "East Side Story," "Back Soon," and "25 Percent" but the best of the bunch, so far, is "Shelter."

Written and directed by Jonah Markowitz, "Shelter" is a film that is ripe with commercial possibilities due to its superior production quality and first-rate performances by its cast. It's also written so well and has so much believable interaction between its characters. No false notes here. And then there are the surfing scenes which are terrific. Markowitz is making his directorial debut but he did supervise the surfing footage in "Blue Crush," the female surfing movie from 4-5 years back starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez.
The movie is set in San Pedro and follows two guys who fall for each other while doing what they love most: surfing. The younger guy is a frustrated artist named Zach - sensationally played by Trevor Wright - who is still struggling with his sexuality but begins to come out when he falls in love with his best friend's older brother Shaun, played by Brad Row of "Billy's Hollywood Screen Test" fame.
The two actors play the emotional scenes so well and they got for it in the love scenes as well. Clothes are shed, kisses are shared and they try and weather the rocky road ahead. Zach is a father figure to his adorable young nephew Cody, loves him so much, and is a crucial presence in his life since Cody's mother (Zach's sister) is a mess who constantly makes her brother choose between his family and his dreams.
I also enjoyed the performance of Ross Thomas (pictured, right), who plays Shaun's understanding younger brother, Gabe. Gabe has no reservations about his older brother's sexuality and the scene where he tells Zach that he is aware of the relationship is very tender. Zach is embarassed and doesn't want to talk about it but Gabe insists and in his goofy way, is the best friend you'd ever want to have. As he leaves to go back to college, he hugs Zach tight and says, "We're still bros, right?"
Markowitz wrote the screenplay for "Shelter" four years ago while staying with a friend in Seattle and shot the movie in three weeks. When I think of all the garbage out there that has so much time and money behind it, it's so wonderful to know that such good movies can be made with far less when you have someone behind it with vision and immense talent.
I promise you that "Shelter" will be one of the best films you see at Outfest 2007. It is the festival's dramatic centerpiece on Wednesday, July 18 at the Ford Ampitheatre.