Sydney film producer Brian Lindsay is teaming with Manila film director Juan Carlos Ojano to make a new gay short film which they hope will screen in festivals around the world.
Closing Time is the story of two men who meet in a gay spa in Manila and realise their connection goes deeper than a one-night stand.
“It’s both sexy and romantic,” says Lindsay, a film historian turned movie producer. “And our vision is to create something that is elegant and impactful. We want the film to tell a specifically Filipino story, in Tagalog, but also for it to have universal appeal.”
“We want to [bring to the] forefront the common gay experience of performance to maintain acceptability,” explained Manila-based director Juan Carlos Ojano.
“Leading a double life catches up with us all. How do we become our true selves and stop ‘performing’? Addressing these questions is why we want to make Closing Time,” Ojano added.
Ojano is one of the most exciting filmmaking talents in The Philippines. His student thesis film was the University of the Philippines Film Institute’s official submission in the Foreign Narrative Category at the 43rd Student Academy Awards. Experienced in editing, scriptwriting and subtitling, Closing Time is the young filmmaker’s first narrative project since graduation.
“Helping young artists overcome barriers and get their first project on the screen is really important to me,” said Lindsay. “I was really impressed with Juan Carlos’ student film. I immediately saw that he was a talent worth fostering.”
The pair are currently running a crowdfunding campaign for the film. “The nature of the story means we can’t expect any mainstream support or grant funding in The Philippines,” admitted Ojano. “To tell this authentic gay story with honesty and compassion, we have to make it independently – and that means donations from generous individuals who believe art matters, especially when it challenges convention.”
Ultimately, the pair hope the film will be seen by film festival audiences around the world.
“We have a list of over a hundred festivals that screen short films, Asian movies, and LGBQTIA+ cinema,” said Lindsay. “Starting with the Mardi Gras Film Festival here in Sydney and going all the way to the major U.S. festivals where short films qualify for Oscar consideration.”
The crowdfunding campaign runs until the end of July. Details of the campaign can be found here: https://bit.ly/3VmJoFw
Contact Brian Lindsay at 0430 273 520, brian@tranterward.com
More information about the film can be found on Instagram: https://bit.ly/4bOiWe0 and Facebook: https://bit.ly/4aFFg88.
