Best indie gay movies
I hope you’ve finished all of your work for today, placed your ass in a cozy bed, and prepared some snacks because I’m bringing you a list of movies you will want to see. Although some of them will make you wanna put your hand in your pants, these are not porn movies. These are the best indie gay movies.
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of mainstream movie productions’ representation of gay characters and gay relationships. It’s true that there have been some steps in the right direction. Still, independent productions often did a much better job than Hollywood when it comes to gay cinematography.
From older classics to award-winning gay and queer independent movies, I’ve selected those that, in my humble opinion, are a must-watch. The list contains romance, political/activism-related films, teen stories, movies filled with explicit sex scenes and sexual tension, and some comedies.
Technically speaking, non of these indie gay movies are pornographic, but some came pretty close to it. The passionate and explicit scenes will surely give you a boner. However, if you are looking for indie gay porn, you will have to wait till I make that list some other time in the future. Till then, check out these best indie gay movies.
1. Desire Will Set You Free (2015)
In Berlin, the world’s capital of sex, nothing is off-limits. In the city where experimental sexuality and underground sex clubs thrive, American writer Ezra and Russian escort Sasha will explore their sexual nature. This is Yony Leyser’s second movie and is based on a true story.
2. Moonlight (2016)
Barry Jenkins, the writer and director of this triple-Oscar-winning film, explores a black boy’s identity at three crucial stages of his life. Many people called this movie a cinematic masterpiece. It shows us the life of a young gay black man, as he struggles with his identity and with the everyday problems of a Miami teen.
3. End of the Century (2019)
You never know if your next hook-up will be your best fucking ever, a disaster, a meeting with your soulmate, or a reunion with someone you met 20 years ago. This romance brings together two men who hook up and then realize that they have a true connection. And one other thing – they have already met before. First-time director Lucio Castro made a film that captures intimacy and passion in an enwrapping way.
4. Everlasting Love (2014)
Gay men in Barcelona often choose woodland as their cruising ground. There, a greying teacher, Carlos, will hook up with a teen. But there is a twist – the boy is one of his students. From that moment, things will only get worse in this beautiful yet creepy gay indie film.
5. Mexican Men (2016)
Those who find Latinos attractive will appreciate this movie composed of five shorts. Directed by Julian Hernandez and Robert Fiesco, these sensual and erotic shorts show the lives, loves, and sex lives of smoking hot Mexican men. Trémulo, Young Man at the Bar Masturbating with Rage and Nerve, Wandering Clouds, To Live, and David, Bramadero, and Atmosphere are the titles of the shorts.
6. And Then We Danced (2019)
With its appearance, this movie raised protests in Tbilisi, Georgia, showing us how LGBTQI+ movies can still be political acts. Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin managed to shoot a movie in this conservative country by resorting to guerilla filmmaking. The story follows a young male dancer who accepts his sexuality. However, being queer causes him problems in the national ensemble because traditional Georgian dance is all about masculinity. Luckily, a new sexy dancer appears, and he helps the main character go through the story.
7. Like Cattle Towards Glow (2015)
As much as the novelist Dennis Cooper insisted that this is not a porn movie, he can’t deny its arousing effects. His books are filled with provocative displays of queer sex and violence, so it’s only natural that his scenario is the same. Written by Cooper and produced by Zach Farley, this indie movie features explicit sexual experiences of 13 characters. Like Cattle Towards Glow is an erotic horror movie that causes conflicting feelings. It can give you a hard-on and make you crap your pants at the same time.
8. Another Gay Movie (2006)
To lighten up this list, here’s comedy. This movie is based on American Pie, with one difference – the main characters are gay. Another Gay Movie follows four high school gay boys who make a pact to lose their virginity before they go to college. It may seem as mainstream as the movie it’s based on, but I think it’s nice to have a gay film that is that popular (at least in the gay community). Stereotypical humor, crazy sexual adventures, and the teens’ hillarious failures are what makes this movie so interesting and relatable. There is also a less-known sequel: Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild (2008).
9. Parting Glances (1986)
Maybe you didn’t expect such an old movie to be on this list, but I think it’s a shame that most people have never heard of Parting Glances. It features Robert and Michael, a gay couple, nurturing their relationship through the AIDS crisis. The fact that Michael’s ex has AIDS causes many troubles for the couple. Everything is presented in an intimate and gentle style.
10. Weekend (2011)
A passionate one-night stand will develop into a full love affair. The two men will experience a life-changing romance and an entire relationship in just two days. The couple shows almost genuine intimacy with lots of chemistry, making their relationship seem natural.
11. Stranger by the Lake (2013)
A lakeside beach can be a perfect cruising ground. Alain Guiraudie’s directing intertwines the pleasures and dangers of cruising in this sensual thriller. Looking for casual fucking in a secluded place is an act filled with sexual energy, but it also brings potential dangers. This indie gay movie exploits both of those premises. There is also the voyeurism aspect. I don’t want to reveal too much; you should just know that it’s all packed with intensity.
12. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
A summer romance in rural Italy is bound to have tons of erotic moments. And the erotic element here is very intense. James Ivory’s screenplay is an adaptation of André Aciman’s novel, and it’s directed by Luca Guadagnino. This is a story about two teen boys engaging in a taboo relationship and experiencing first love and first disappointments.
13. From Beginning to End (2009)
Director and writer Aluizio Abranches brings you something more on the taboo side. This is a story about two half-brothers who grow overly close in childhood. As young adults, they eventually become intimate and engage in a forbidden, boundary-breaking relationship. This highly controversial theme is presented with tact and sensitivity.
14. Being 17 (2016)
Céline Sciamma and André Téchiné bring you a bold story about growing up, filled with violence and sexual tension. This hyper-naturalistic drama follows a boy who is in love with his bully. Although this film can be classified as queer, it still belongs on my list because of the complex idea it explores.
15. God’s Own Country (2017)
Happening in the magnificent West Yorkshire countryside, this movie shows two farmer boys in a secretive, passionate relationship. One of the young men, Johnny, manages his family farm and only has meaningless sex with random strangers. But when Gheorghe comes to help for the lambing season, Johnny is struck with the genuine connection he has with the sexy season worker. Writer-director Francis Lee’s debut film is far from a typical gay drama, and it can encapture the viewer with its beautiful scenes.
Let this list of 15 best indie gay movies be your next cinematic project. Take a short break from porn and explore these forms of gay art. I’ve tried to put together a diversity of genres. You have extremely arousing, bordering with porn, movies, some romance for date nights, horrors and thrillers that will make your heart stop, as well as some contradicting turn-you-on-but-scare-the-shit-out-of-you thrillers, and also comedy for relaxation.
In case you’ve already seen these movies, there are tons of great international independent gay films available online. You can even find some of them on Netflix. I gotta give some credit to them for the rising number of not-cliché LGBT movies they have been making in recent years. There is also a streaming service called Dekkoo that features only gay movies, and you can find most of these indie films there. Enjoy!
