A Chilling Narrative of Love, Despair, and Freedom: The Unsettling Saga of Lilies
"Gripping tales that redefine the past catch our eye," says filmmaker Will Seefried, talking about Lilies Not My Cup of Tea, a profound movie delving into the intersection of queer identity and institutional control in 1920s England.
Captured above: Fionn O'Shea and Robert Aramayo in Lilies Not My Cup of Tea (Image: Wolflight and Paradise City)
"The film's inception sparked after I stumbled upon a chilling procedure from the '20s, claiming to 'eliminate' homosexuality. This grim chapter in history struck a chord, serving as a haunting symbol of the enduring violence against LGBTQ+ individuals today, while echoing influential books and films that left an impact on me when I was young – spine-tingling period romances with queer tales at their core, such as Salman Rushdie's classic Midnight's Children, Nicole Krauss' The History of Love, and Ang Lee's exquisite Brokeback Mountain."
Love Forbidden, Truth Unveiled
One of the film's most striking insights is its portrayal of compelled conformity-the pressure to hide one's identity to align with societal norms. As Owen's scheduled tea sessions with the stern Nurse Dorothy, designed to prep him for a "traditional" heterosexual life, transform into a poignant exploration of resistance and subtle rebellion, the movie captures the resilience of individuals in the face of oppression. Moreover, it sheds light on the hidden disobedience within oppressive institutions, as some psychiatric nurses turned allies in secretly challenging the system for the benefit of queer patients.
"I delved deep into sources like Silencing Queers: Patients and Their Nurses, uncovering fascinating accounts of connections between gay men and their psychiatric nurses. Many nurses became advocates, battling the system from within," Seefried reminisces on his research into the historical backdrop.
Seefried skillfully crafts a mesmerizing narrative that's non-linear, making use of flashbacks to unveil Owen's past relationships and the emotional scars left by the facility's attempts to "cure" him. Bathed in a golden glow, these moments contrast the warmth of queer intimacy with the cold, clinical atmosphere of the institution. To emphasize the themes of suppression and freedom, Seefried treats the film's visuals like a work of art rather than a simple historical representation, allowing for symbolic storytelling that resonates more profoundly on an emotional level.
An essential component of the movie is the relationship between psychiatric nurses and patients. Seefried learned that many nurses, initially tasked with enforcing heterosexual encounters, became activists and worked against the system to help queer individuals gain their liberty. This theme of concealed resistance adds richness to the narrative, presenting examples of how resistance can manifest even within oppressive institutions.
Seefried prioritizes artistic expression in his storytelling. "I saw the movie as a painting rather than a photograph, allowing for expressive, symbolic storytelling instead of strict historical accuracy," Seefried states.
"I wrote the script during the early months of 2021 and was fortunate to find a path for it to become reality, which for a first-time feature filmmaker is tough and particularly challenging for a period drama," says Seefried.
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Lilies Not My Cup of Tea follows Owen James, a budding novelist, who gets subjected to medical procedures with the aim of "curing" his homosexuality. Through its powerful narrative and thought-provoking imagery, the movie illuminates the historical persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals while illustrating parallels to modern-day struggles.
The film takes place in 1920s England and centers around Owen James (Fionn O'Shea), an aspiring author who lands at a medical facility promising to "cure" homosexuality through unconventional treatments. As part of his therapy, Owen spends routine tea sessions with the stern Nurse Dorothy (Erin Kellyman), meant to prepare him for a heterosexual lifestyle. Making use of flashbacks as a powerful storytelling element, Seefried exposes Owen's past relationships and the emotional wounds left by the facility's failed attempts to "cure" him. These scenes accentuate the contrast between the warmth of queer intimacy and the icy, clinical surroundings of the institution, emphasizing the film's themes of conformity, concealed resistance, and identity suppression, with remarkable performances by Robert Aramayo as Philip, a crucial figure from Owen's past, and Louis Hofmann as Charles, another significant character connected to Owen's story.
Deeply connected to historical and personal contexts that form the basis for its themes, the film delves into the grim reality of conversion therapy during the 1920s.
Through his research, Seefried uncovered the troubling origins of conversion therapy, which persisted until 2025, further reinforcing the film's message about systemic discrimination and the fortitude of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Although conversion therapy has a long and problematic history, dating back to the late 19th century, when psychiatrists and doctors classified same-sex attraction as a medical condition and sought out ways to "reverse" it. Despite its prevalence, conversion therapy has been widely discredited by the medical community and human rights organizations. Today, many countries have prohibited the practice due to its negative consequences on mental health and well-being. South Africa, Australia, and the United States have banned the procedure in certain states or territories but not nationwide, and England is working on outlawing the practice.
Masterfully crafted from historical research and a strong artistic vision, the film was inspired by archival accounts of early 20th-century medical practices that falsely claimed to "cure" homosexuality.
Seefried wanted to create a historically grounded yet emotionally resonant story; he put in long hours of research, including studying medical journals and documentaries, to maintain accuracy in the film's portrayal of oppression and longing. He found inspiration in classic queer literature and films like Maurice and Carol. The script developed from his research into psychiatric facilities and the relationships between patients and nurses.
You can watch Lilies Not My Cup of Tea on Prime Video, where it's available for rent or purchase.
Lilies Not My Cup of Tea represents Will Seefried's feature directorial debut. However, Seefried boasts a diverse portfolio beyond this project.
Will Seefried's additional credits include:
- A World not of Our Own (2023): A short film about an unhappy man who attends a retreat offering adults the chance to experience happiness similar to childhood. It was acclaimed at SXSW, won the Audience Award at Short of the Week, and attracted recognition at various other film festivals.
- The New Species (2019): A short film about aliens who find themselves in human bodies and struggle to adapt to their new environment.
- Pregnant Man (2017): A short film centering on a man who unexpectedly gets pregnant and embarks on a pilgrimage of self-discovery.
Seefried has also been involved in television projects, including Sunk, Sank, Sunk, a docudrama series he co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed.
Will Seefried studied at New York University and has been active in film and television projects based in the United States and South Africa.
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Conversion therapy has a long and dark history
The practice dates back to the late 19th century, when psychiatrists and doctors began depicting same-sex attraction as a medical condition and sought out ways to "cure" it. Early tactics comprised hypnosis, hormone treatments, and even surgical procedures like testicle transplants. By the 20th century, conversion therapy became more prominent, with methods ranging from electroconvulsive therapy to lobotomies. Practitioners believed homosexuality was a mental illness and attempted to "cure" individuals through behavioral conditioning, such as exposing them to heterosexual pornography while administering electric shocks. Conversion therapy is not explicitly banned in South Africa, and while the country offers strong constitutional safeguards for LGBTQ+ rights, the practice still takes place in various settings, like religious institutions, homes, and traditional healing spaces. Historically, South Africa had state-funded conversion therapy programs, like the Repulsion Project during apartheid, which forced LGBTQ+ individuals to undergo medical procedures like chemical castration and electric shock therapy. Today, conversion therapy continues in various forms, with reports of forced prayer sessions, exorcisms, and even physical abuse. Advocacy groups have campaigned for legislative action to ban the practice, but no formal law has been passed yet. In Australia and the United States, conversion therapy has been banned in certain states or territories, but not nationwide. England is working on outlawing conversion therapy. The Labour government has announced intentions to introduce a Conversion Practices Bill, with the objective of criminalizing practices intended to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
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References:
[1] Boys, T., & Mamo, T. (2013). Gay men’s experiences of conversion therapy: A qualitative study. British Journal of Clinical Psychology.[2] Drescher, J. (2015). Everything They Told Us About Sexual Orientation Is Wrong. Retrieved from https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2015/05/everything-they-told-us-about-sexual- orientation-is-wrong.html[3] Haldeman, D., Hubbard, A., & Bartlett, M. (2011). Supporting the LGBTQ+ community: Psychotherapeutic considerations. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.[4] Matrefsky, S., Jeter, M., & Savin-Williams, R. (2009). Interventions, involuntary and voluntary, for conversion of sexual orientation. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
- Will Seefried's skillful screenwriting in "Lilies Not My Cup of Tea" seamlessly weaves together the themes of movies-and-tv, entertainment, and screenwriting, delving into the intersection of history and queer identity with a poignant narrative.
- In his exploration of the historical backdrop for "Lilies Not My Cup of Tea", Seefried showcases his passion for various forms of entertainment, as well as his screenwriting talent, by focusing on influential books and films like Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, Nicole Krauss' The History of Love, and Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain.
