Drown
Strand (2015)
Drama, Queer Themes/Interest, Sports
In Collection
#462
7*
Seen ItYes
(5/18/2016 NetFlix)
712262341528
IMDB   5.6
93 mins Australia / English
DVD  Region 1
Sam Anderson Tom
Harry Cook Meat
Jack Matthews Phil
Matt Levett Len
Matt James Chook
Jayr Tinaco Dan
Daniel Needs Danno
Matt Levett Len Smithy
Maya Stange Woman Who Drowned
Lucy Green Girl on Beach #1
Jessina Oakes Girl On Beach #2
Meg McDermott Girl On Beach #3
Kimberly Lim Girl On Beach #4
Robin Gonnella Drowning Boy
Kate Ryerson Drowning Boy's Mother
Jeremy Burtenshaw Groundskeeper
Corey Willis Beach Bystander #1
Namir Salim Beach Bystander #2
Nadene Weissenborn Beach Bystander #3
Jasmine Weissenborn Beach Bystander #4
Joel Davies Fingers
Phillipe Witana Philly
Bill Young Mal
Shane Brunette Dredlocks
Blake Kirby Lifesaver #1
Rhys Mugdan Lifesaver #2
Adam Southam Lifesaver #3
Director/Choreographer
Dean Francis
Producer Dean Francis
Stephen Davis
Raymond Y.H. Chan
Writer/Composer Dean Francis
Stephen Davis
Cinematography Dean Francis
Music Ian Kitney


Len is a Surf Lifesaving champion, a legend in the cloistered surf club just like his father. When the younger, faster, and fitter Phil arrives at the club, Len’s legendary status starts to crumble. Then Len sees Phil arriving in the company of another man. Phil is gay. After the annual awards dinner, Len finds Phil in the Club House locker room and violently attacks him. To Len’s surprise, Phil refuses to rat on Len about the beating. When Phil wins the annual Surf Lifesaving competition, Len’s defeat is final. In an act of revenge, Len gets Phil drunk and subjects him to a series of humiliating acts. But, the hatefulness forces Len to come face to face with a fundamental question: can he accept the truth about his own sexuality.
Edition Details
Release Date 2014
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 5/18/2016
Location Personal Library
Owner Deitz
Store Amazon
Purchase Price $21.71
Condition New
Links +Review @SaltyPopcorn
- Review @GayUK
+Review @Travels of Adam
‡ Adult Bullying
Official Site Drown the Movie
Drown at Core for Movies
TheMovieDb.org
IMDB
References
Streaming, VoD NetFlix
Lists ‡ Listall Best Gay Themed by Polsko
Festivals & Awards LIGLFF 2015

Notes
Immediately after watching it, I wrote a brief review of this film -- the next day, I deleted it -- I just could not decide how I felt -- It is a powerful film, ugly, violent, erotic -- added nothing especially new about bullying or homophobia though.
I found the reviews at IMDb and elsewhere helpful. The reviewers mostly either liked it or hated it; not much middle ground. Jason King in Salty Popcorn expresses my feeling: "The subject matter for this play/movie was ambitious and much deeper than your generic gay drama – for that I applaud it, with a few tweaks, wider shots and a more fleshed out lead character this movie could have been a masterpiece,"
I also posted a bullying related link.
Actors were well cast; Since they are all young swimmer athletes, there are plenty of scenes of the beach in their famous skimpy Aussie bathing suits. It's easy on the eyes in this regard.
I rated it a 7, could have just as comfortably gone for a 6. It is a film well impressed on my brain. I originally watched it on NetFlix, then I purchased it for my personal collection. It is a movie I will no doubt be visiting again.