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  • FILM REVIEW | The Overnighters

    ★★★★ | The Overnighters

    After North Dakota introduced the controversial technology known as fracking in 2008 it suddenly became the nation’s second largest oil producing State.

    So as the economic recession started to kick in really hard over the next few years, thousands of unemployed men unable to find work in their part of the country flocked to the new oilfields hoping to secure jobs. Many ended up the city of Willaston which is located in the oil-rich region in the west of the state. Totally unprepared for job searching which could take some considerable time or at which they could fail as they were totally unqualified, many of these migrant workers ended up being homeless and destitute.

    Their one chance of surviving and making their dreams succeed lay in the hands of an extraordinary local Lutheran Pastor who mounted what turned out to be a one man band to help these men try and succeed and move on. Pastor Reinke knew that the City permitted people to sleep overnight in their own cars if they were parked legally, but for the people that had come by bus and train, he went one step further and opened up the church premises and allowed them to sleep on any floor space they could claim.

    This program called ‘the overnighters’ was started in the dead of winter and the church’s congregation went along with their leader’s plan assuming that when the spring came, the men would move out and on. But each day more and more men arrived seeking refuge and the trickle turned into a flood. The Pastor suggested that the men make a voluntary contribution towards their keep, but insisted on them submitting to a background check and also attending church.

    As this influx of cars and men impacted the neighbourhood and at the same, the crime rate also rose the local paper started to voice the concerns of the community and published a few damning pieces on the Pastor’s activities. In a badly thought out move he panicked and invited one of the men who had been a convicted sex offender to stay with his own family to take the heat off for a while… but when word got out, it was the start of the unravelling of the whole program and the Pastor’s own life.

    Director Jesse Moss was his own one-man crew when he filmed this in 2012/3 and he gets up close and personal in telling the intimate stories of some of the men that are passing through in the hope of a better life. And although their struggles simply to survive are a powerful indictment on the effects of the downturn of a global economy on ordinary working men, it is the Pastor’s own somewhat bewildering and incessant crusade that is the main focus here. Reinke is resolute in his sheer doggedness to offer these men shelter and hope despite the overwhelming objections of the City, and of his own congregation who are angry at being railroaded into giving their support to something they can no longer tolerate.

    The Pastor’s very blinkered approach to expecting all of his neighbours to act as he believes Christians too unfairly casts them as the devil’s advocate when the refuse to go along with all his plans, and he eventually pays the cost of pushing them all too hard. There is more than hint that he has his own troubled past and on one occasion when he sympathies with one of the men who is baring his tormented soul, he remarks that they have a lot more in common than the other man would think. There are also the tell-tale signs of sudden flares of anger when Reinke believes that anyone has betrayed his trust in him. And then when the chips are down at the end of the movie, Reinke shocks his placid wife (and us) with a surprising confession.

    Moss’s movie never steers shy from showing the sheer despair of these men, and even of their guardian angel too. This compelling feature length documentary is quite an eye opener, in every sense of the word.

    In UK Cinemas 31st October

  • Olympic Hottie Chris Mears Does A Bond

    All round favourite Olympian Chris Mears has shown that he can do a Daniel Craig – even better than Daniel Craig.

    https://twitter.com/ChrisMears93/status/523903058053713920/photo/1

    Taking to Twitter a topless Chris Mears tweeted a picture of him emerging from the sea a la Daniel Craig, which he captioned ‘Channelling my inner James Bond’.

    We couldn’t agree more.

  • FILM REVIEW | The Secret Path

    This new gay love story from a married couple of newbie filmmakers Daniel and Richard Mansfield is quite unique.★★★

    Essentially a two-hander, its the story of a pair of lovers in their late 20s who are on the run having deserted the British Navy in the early 1800s. Having come ashore near the rather lush grounds of the estate of an abandoned country house, the two men live ‘rough’ during the day whilst at night they dig up dead bodies to sell and get some funds to move on.

    In a script that is full of more holes than any net these ex-Mariners may have found at sea, we are never too sure why they do little beyond walking around in circles or just lying on the grass cuddling each other.

    They make out occasionally in a manner that one can only suggest that their clumsiness is due to being new to man-on-man sex, or that they are used to doing it on rough seas which gave them a natural rhythm. What is for sure is that the whole place is haunted, and in this supernatural thriller where Theo alone keeps seeing dead people, we know that it cannot possible end well for him or for his lover Frank.

    It’s a bold move making a gay period drama, especially on a micro-budget, and these two Brit filmmakers should be applauded for their valiant effort. The combination of the jerky hand-held cameras and an ominously eerie soundtrack go a long way to making this wee movie more watchable. The two very likeable actors, Darren Bransford & Henry Regan, do well with their parts but they, like the script could have so benefited with both more substance and better direction. The whole thin plot was far too stretched out and made one’s attention wander a little too often in the middle section in particular.

    This new movie is due to be premiered at the GayWise Festival in London in November but before that will be available on VOD/DVD at Amazon.

  • FILM REVIEW | You And The Night

    The opening sequence of French writer/director Yann Gonzalez debut feature starts with confusion that never really eases up through this avant-garde art-house film. ★

    CREDIT: Les Rencontres D’Après Minuit
    CREDIT: Les Rencontres D’Après Minuit

    (more…)

  • BUTT IS IT ART? Tree is Erected In Paris

    Diana Vreeland the ‘Anna Wintour’ of the 1940’s –1960’s once very archly declared ‘the best thing about London is Paris!’.

    Art lovers would definitely agree with her this week as the French Capital hosts the 40th Edition of The International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC) which after Art Basel is THE leading exhibition in the World. Based in the Palais Grand and in venues all over the city and for several days it becomes the meeting place between artists, collectors, gallerists, curators, museum directors and stars from the world of international contemporary art.

    We know that Ms Vreeland would thoroughly approve of such a stylish gathering, but we are a little unsure of what she would have thought of American artist Paul McCarthy’s piece called ‘ Tree’ an 80ft inflatable sculpture ‘erected’ in the heart of the Place de Vendome.

    It kind of reminds us of something BUTT we are not quite sure what!

  • SEX TOY Christmas Tree Destroyed By Vandals

    Vandals have destroyed an art installation by Paul McCarthy.

    An art installation which was criticised for looking like a butt plug has been destroyed over night by vandals. The art was erected in Place Vendome, which is near the centre of Paris. Protesters who said the tree looked like a sex toy had decried it, saying it was a waste of tax payer’s money.

    The 80ft inflatable piece simply called ‘Tree’ was popped overnight. It had caused a lot of upset amongst anti-gay groups because it looks like a giant butt plug.

    Police in Paris said, ‘Individuals have severed the cables that hold the sculpture in place, taking advantage of a momentary lack of a security guard,

    ‘Investigations are ongoing.’

    The Mayor of Paris condemned the attack and the French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin said that the vandalism was ‘an attack on creative freedom’.

  • COMMENT | The Dangerous Relationship Between Obesity and HIV

    The Dangerous Relationship Between Obesity and HIV

    According to recent data from the SUN (Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV and AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy), which includes 494 patients, approximately 61% were either overweight or obese. Obesity was associated with insulin resistance, elevated cholesterol, increased inflammation and atherosclerosis.

    A reduction of dietary intake of 500 calories per day for 8 weeks resulted in a 6% decrease in body weight. What was remarkable in this study was the dramatic decline in systemic inflammation observed in the study participants. Indeed, two reputable markers of inflammation, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and C-reactive protein, were reduced by almost 50% in only 8 weeks of calorie reduction.

    Inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney problems, osteoporosis, cogitative impairment and fragility, are becoming increasingly common in people living with HIV. As the prevalence of obesity and HIV-associated co-morbidities continues to rise, and concerns for the spiralling economic and social costs escalate, innovative management strategies beyond primary care are urgently needed. Many traditional lifestyle interventions can be implemented with the assistance of professionals, including:

    • Maintain a maximal viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy
    • Reduce or stop smoking
    • Lose at least 5-10% of body weight (if overweight)
    • Exercise
    • Consume more fruits and vegetables
    • Reduce alcohol intake

    One reason why people who are infected with HIV have high levels of inflammation is that HIV destroys the structure of the intestine (gut), causing bad bacteria to strive, and changes the dynamics of the gut microbiota.

    Toxins produced by bad bacteria cross the wall of the intestine and into the blood stream to instigate and fuel inflammation, and cause age-associated diseases. Similarly, alterations of the gut microbiota and mucosal barrier have been identified as a novel CVD risk factor and are associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    Incredibly, probiotic treatment using Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 has shown great promise in reducing body weight and liver inflammation in animal models.

    The increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes demonstrates the difficulties of conventional treatments and interventions to curb these diseases. Efforts to identify new therapeutic strategies to modulate gut microbiota are now a high priority for public health and, to date, probiotics and/or prebiotics seem to be the most effective tools.

    Diet, especially high intake of fermentable fibres and plant polyphenols, appears to regulate microbial activities within the gut, supporting regulatory guidelines that encourage increased consumption of whole-plant foods (fruit, vegetables and whole-grain cereals) and providing the scientific rationale for the design of efficacious prebiotics.

    Polyphenol-rich cranberry extract has been proven to protect mice from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, although the effect might have been mediated by the regulation of intestinal inflammation. Recent human studies with carefully selected probiotic strains have shown that ingestion of viable micro-organisms with the ability to hydrolyse bile salts could lower blood cholesterol, a recognised risk factor in obesity-related CVD.

    1. Overton ET. Metabolic complications of HIV infection and its therapies. Top Antivir Med 2014,22:651-654.
    2. Palmer CS. Inflammation speeds up the aging process in people infected with HIV, 2014, http://www.naturalimmunity.com.au/hiv.html#B.
    3. Palmer CS, Crowe SM. How does monocyte metabolism impact inflammation and aging during chronic HIV infection? AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014,30:335-336.
    4. Stenman LK, Waget A, Garret C, Klopp P, Burcelin R, Lahtinen S. Potential probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 prevents weight gain and glucose intolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Benef Microbes 2014,5:437-445.

    Dr Clovis Palmer is a graduate of the University of Sydney, Australia, and holds a PhD in plant biochemistry and molecular genetics. He conducted postdoctoral studies in immunology, liver disease and obesity at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

    Dr Palmer is a reviewer for several top ranked international journals including Hepatology, AIDS and Antioxidants and Redox Signalling. He is the chief scientific editor for Natural Immunity-Health, Australia (www.naturalimmunity.com.au).

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Gay Rugby Hunks Sing Disney

    Members from the Manchester Village Spartans have other interests other than Rugby…

    Okay, some gay men just love a bit of Disney and these Rugger hunks show off their musical theatre talents… Particularly the dude in the blue cap – who is ON POINT with his lyrics. (Well done that man.)

    The lads say this is a singalong of Lion King’s I Just Can’t Wait To be King whilst they were returning from the touch tournament in Birmingham this weekend.

    The Manchester Village Spartans RUFC is Manchester and Northwest England’s gay and inclusive rugby union football team based at Sale Sports Club, Manchester.

    The club is a full member of International Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB)

  • FILM REVIEW | Love Or Whatever

    Like most Therapists who spend their working day advising people how to get their act together, Corey was not that hot at getting his own life on the right track. When he finally proposed to his muscle-bound airhead personal trainer boyfriend, Jon just freaked out and ran off into the arms (and bed) of the nearest woman. He had finally come of out of his gay closet to discover that he was bisexual, or maybe straight even. ★★★

    Corey crying his eyes poured out his woes to his best friend who was his lesbian sister Kelsey, who insisted that there was only one way forward for him viz. Grindr. And soon as she had taught her brother how to use this Gay dating app. the first man he spotted was the Pizza delivery guy. Pete is hotter than hell: handsome, intelligent, articulate and is running the pizza store whilst caring for his sick Uncle the owner. He’s a saint and too perfect to be true, but this is the movies after all.

    The two men have a very successful date and geeky Corey now has another muscle-bound super-fit boyfriend, but before they can even think about even living happily ever after, they must get through a couple of melodramas first. It turns out that Melissa, the woman who the newly proclaimed bisexual Jon is dating, is also a client of Corey’s and she insists on telling him every intimate detail of her new relationship not knowing that he was her predecessor. Eventually he tells her that his appointment book is full and she should go find another therapist.

    Meanwhile Jon decides he really prefers Corey after all so he comes back and they immediately jump in to bed only to be caught in flagrento by saint Pete. Before they can even get their underwear back on, in storms Melissa who had given Jon a lift and had been waiting in the car outside. And just before they can all say scream ‘How could you ? etc’, then into this now rather packed house comes Kelsey to say that she is broke and her coffee shop business is in Foreclosure and she’s leaving town.

    It’s a romantic comedy so you know that in this very lightweight fluffy piece it will work out in the end so everyone will have big smiles on the faces and a hot body to share their beds. Well most of them anyway. This one is cute, thanks mainly to a good cast, and not just the ex-underwear models who play two of the leads.

    As fun as it is you and perfect for a date night, you may still cynical just opt for the ‘whatever’ rather than ‘love’!

    Available to by from Amazon

  • X FACTOR Hotness: 8 Hot Piccys Of Jake Quickenden

    With Jake Quickenden firmly embedded into the Live shows on the X Factor, we look at 8 incredibly hot pictures of him. All the in name of great journalism.

    With Jake Quickenden firmly embedded into the Live shows on the X Factor, we look at 8 incredibly hot pictures of him. All the in name of great journalism.

    However he is back and in the meantime, Jake has been busy posing in front of mirrors – becoming a king of the Selfie. Here are a few of our favourites.

    Jake Quickenden currently has 33/1 odds in William Hill of being the outright winner of 2014’s X FACTOR winner. Time to step yo pussy up Jake… (We love it went we get all street).

  • Nude Priests In Homoerotic Orthodox Calendar

    Orthodox Calendar is the title of wall calendars and videos first published in 2012, featuring nude and semi-nude photographs of members of the Orthodox Church. The calendar is the brainchild of a group composed mostly of Orthodox eastern Europeans of the former communist region. The primary goal was to create the very first organised global effort against homophobia in the Orthodox Region. At the same time, the calendar takes an ironic approach to the Orthodox Church itself, which in recent years has been embroiled in artist repression, questionable behaviour and homophobia.

    Through their unconventional and bold images, Orthodox Calendar’s creative team seeks to counteract the negative and outdated influences of most of the Orthodox Church leadership. While recognizing that change might not come quickly to the official Orthodox Church position, Orthodox Calendar nonetheless believes that at least it can encourage people to reflect and realise that there is an urgent need for an update in values as part of the modern society.

    Through their unconventional and bold images, Orthodox Calendar’s creative team seeks to counteract the negative and outdated influences of most of the Orthodox Church leadership. While recognizing that change might not come quickly to the official Orthodox Church position, Orthodox Calendar nonetheless believes that at least it can encourage people to reflect and realise that there is an urgent need for an update in values as part of the modern society.

    The first series in 2013, called “For freedom of speech, unity and tolerance” tells the individual story of 12 intensely masculine young men and their guests representing different parts of Eastern Europe. All are open-minded and believe that it is important to be perceived as individuals committed to diversity and acceptance against homophobia who reject contempt and violence. Disrespect for gay human beings weakens thousands of children and adolescents, promotes risk-taking, and increases vulnerability to HIV and those steeped in silence, shame and secrecy.

    The second series in 2014, called “LOVE IS LOVE – ORTHODOX OR NOT!” pays tribute to gay marriage. It’s the story of young gay couples from Eastern Europe sharing a common dream of one day being able to wed their beloved at the altar of their local Orthodox chapel.

    The third series (#OC2015) called “S.A.L.I.G.I.A (Superbia, Avaritia, Luxuria, Invidia, Gula, Ira, Acedia)” pays tribute to social tolerance. The story takes place on the right bank of the Moskva River south of Moscow, where some priests believe that same-sex unions are NOT a sign of the coming apocalypse, contrary to what Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill may claim. These priests set out, in a humorous way, to remind the world that homosexuality is NOT one of the 7 deadly sins and in fact that Jesus Christ never even referred to homosexuality as a sin!

     

    Yet in the words of many in the Orthodox hierarchy, LGBT people have suddenly become the worst kind of sinners – an omen of the impending end of the world. What about wrath, avarice, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony?

     

    Starting today, anyone can discover #OC2015 wall calendar pictures by simply ordering on-line from Amazon or directly from their store at www.orthodox-calendar.com/shop. The price for the classic wall calendar is €18.99 and the explicit version is €34,95. The “Making Of” DVD is priced at €16,99. Check out the Orthodox Calendar on Facebook:www.facebook.com/CalendarOrtodoxAVA and Twitter: @OrthodoxCalenda

     

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