These musings regarding the Breaking Glass Pictures May 16, 2017 DVD release of the 2015 Chinese coming-of-age film "Utopians" is a perfect first regular Pride Month post following yesterday's general article on modern gay-themed films. Producer/director/writer Scud has his cast literally and figuratively bare all regarding their actual and ideal sexual identities. "Utopians" also is notable as a film that breaks the general rule that provides that the degree of nudity and depictions of sex are inversely related to the quality of the movie.
The opening scene in which completely naked soon-to-graduate college student Hins (whom daring Chinese actor Adonis portrays with good insight) engages in equally erotic and perverse bisexual S&M play sets the tone for the rest of the film. Hins soon resumes his everyday life by attending a lecture with his steady gal.
The trouble/awakening begins with new professor Antonio Ming displaying a large slide of two naked intertwined men, asking the males in the class embarrassing questions about their sexuality, and announcing that he is gay. He goes on to discuss how the enlightened citizens of ancient Greece approached the titular perfect society through embracing both homosexual activity and sex between male teachers and their male students.
This openness intrigues bi-curious Hins to visit the professor in his office and to further bond over mutual love of a Japanese author who writes about gay relationships. An attraction to Hins and a desire to help this student realize his true self and to shed his related inhibitions prompts Antonio to invite his new friend for an afternoon frolicking on a boat with him and a group of young naked men. This outing (pun intended) includes watching Antonio have sex with one of his guests.
The seduction of Hins by Antonio reaches completion during a trip to Bangkok that also involves Antonio surrounding himself with naked young men. Hins fulfilling a promise to a repressed and already jealous Joey creates the central drama of the film.
The fully consensual sex between an adult Hins and an even older Antonio results in this pair becoming guests of the state. Scud uses the fact that either one of these lovers being female would have avoided any legal proceedings to emphasize his points regarding the attitude of society towards homosexuality.
The trial prompts further awakenings and results in Hins learning a proverbial deep dark family secret that further alters his sense of self; Scud makes the audience wait until the final scene to determine if the kid is alright after everything that he has been through.
The copious DVD extras include a 'teaser trailer' for the Scud film "30 Years of Adonis," a great Q Fest introduction of "Utopians" by Scud followed by an interview with Q Fest producer Thom Cardwell, deleted scenes, and a "making-of" feature.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Utopians" is encouraged to email me; you also can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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