Eastern Boys
classified 15 SPlease note: This was screened in Dec 2014
In this erotically charged nail-biter, director Robin Campillo (best known for writing Laurent Cantet's Palme d'Or-winning The Class and Channel 4 drama The Returned) takes us on a completely unexpected ride when a French businessman's life changes with a single act.
Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin), a dapper, 50-something Parisian, coyly cruises the Gare du Nord, trailing a group of men around the urban shopping plaza. He awkwardly propositions one - a young eastern European immigrant hustler, Marek - to whom he naively gives his address, where they agree to meet the next evening. A nightmarish yet arousing evening of terror and seduction ensues when Marek keeps the date, but doesn't come alone. But the youngster returns the following night to make good on the original plan. Soon, Daniel is a regular client and as their bond deepens, lust yields to love and concern as he comes to understand the corrosive power of Marek's network.
Raising the tension and the stakes throughout the film's four chapters, Campillo deftly kicks the film into high gear with a heart-pounding finale, showcasing the film's raison d'etre.
Ticket prices: Screenings before 16:00: £5.50 full / £4.00 concessions. Screenings after 16:00: £8.00 full / £6.50 concessions.