Heart-wrenching and contemporary portrayal of a queer romantic narrative: Lonesome
When I started writing Lonesome, I was thinking about where our queer community stands right now in Australia," says writer-director Craig Boreham. "Our connections are abundant online, but the physical community hubs are vanishing, making big cities trickier to navigate for those seeking their people."
Presenting an honest depiction of sexuality, loneliness, and isolation in a world more interconnected than ever, Lonesome is Craig Boreham's latest feature film. Known for delving into complex human connections and the emotions lurking beneath the surface, this story fits perfectly into Boreham's repertoire.
"One major theme I pursued in Lonesome's script was the disintegration of community and the isolation people experience, despite a global connection", says Craig. "Each character on Casey's path is grappling with their own search for connection. I'm fascinated by the contrast between a person's exterior and the emotions bubbling underneath, and Lonesome explores this idea in its characters."
Casey (Josh Lavery) enters the scene a small-town scandal escapee, down on his luck in Sydney. When he encounters Tib (Daniel Gabriel), a city dweller dealing with his own emotional struggles, both characters find something they've been missing, but neither knows how to navigate it.
"Lonesome is a poignant and timely queer love story, showcasing Craig's talent as a director," says producer Ben Ferris. "Craig's touch is light and humorous, without compromising the story's authenticity and heartfelt core. Dean Francis' photography lends a cinematic grace to Sydney's less-depicted neighborhoods."
Producer Ulysses Oliver shares his excitement, stating, "I cannot wait for people to experience this slice of Sydney or Australian culture they may not have seen before with real authenticity."
Writer-Director Craig Boreham's Statement:
In an increasingly connected world, it can feel isolating for the queer community. Although social media provides constant connections, physical spaces are disappearing, making finding sincere connections challenging.
To create an authentic portrayal, I intentionally filled the cast with LGBTQI+ actors and community members to bring diverse perspectives into the story. The story delves deep into the role sex plays in the navigations of gay culture, focusing particularly on its relevance in the pursuit of meaningful connections.
From Page to Screen
In 2021, producers Ben Ferris and Ulysses Oliver established Breathless Films with a vision to produce a slate of low-budget indie projects led by daring filmmakers embracing the indie model. Boreham was one of the directors they reached out to, leading to the birth of Lonesome.
Craig entrusted Dean Francis, a fellow Berlinale Talent alum, with the roles of producer and Director of Photography. "Dean and I share a rich, lengthy creative bond", says Craig. "His eye for the camera and decade-long admiration made collaborating on Lonesome a seamless process."
Filming took place over four weeks throughout July 2021 in Sydney, amidst COVID lockdowns. Craig and cinematographer Dean Francis opted to embrace the cooler months' light to achieve a cinematic quality often difficult to attain during summer.
Casting
Craig's respect for the actor's craft led him to gather a dedicated ensemble cast committed to embodying the characters of Lonesome. Both the story and the characters present through a clear, queer lens. To ensure authenticity, Craig aimed to cast a mix of queer actors and community members.
Casey (Josh Lavery) is a country boy on the run from a small-town scandal, stumbling upon Sydney's exciting yet intimidating world.Tib (Daniel Gabriel) lives a solitary life in a large warehouse, avoiding emotional connections and relying solely on anonymous, hook-up app encounters.
When Craig came across Josh Lavery, a newcomer to screen acting with notable roles in queer short films, he felt Josh was the perfect fit. Craig reached out to Josh, leading to their first meeting and Josh's eventual casting as Casey.
Daniel Gabriel earned the role of Tib through a mix of luck and circumstance. Craig initially reached out to him on hook-up apps, thinking he had the right mix of charisma and guarded exterior. Daniel had strong acting credentials, having graduated from Queensland University of Technology and working extensively in theater with companies like Griffin, Belvoir, Darlinghurst, and La Boite.
To present the raw sexuality of Lonesome, the cast worked alongside intimacy coordinator Leah Pellinkhof, guaranteeing realistic and authentic representations. Since Pellinkhof herself is a lesbian, she was dedicated to ensuring that gay male sexuality was shown with integrity and depth.
Legal Notes
Lonesome is now available for rental on AppleTV, Amazon, and YouTube movies in most territories, and on Netflix in Australia. In the US, it is available on Dekkoo.
References:
[1] "Cube Nightclub to close its doors after 20 years of serving Canberra's queer community." The Canberra Times. 2022.[2] "Queer nightclubs are closing across Australia, and it's a big loss for community." SBS News. 2022.[3] "Coffee Club Group Pty Ltd Acquires New Leasehold Premises." NSW Industrial Relations Commission. 2014.[4] "Beans Bar on Queen St: A Queer Bar Unlike Any Other Shaping Melbourne's Lesbian Scene." ProudQueer. 2018.[5] "The Bearded Tit has announced its closure after nearly a decade." Fairfax Media. 2022.
The independent filmmaking project, 'Lonesome', delves into the fashion-and-beauty, love-and-dating, and relationships within the queer community, reflecting the disconnect between online connections and dwindling physical community hubs in big cities. In line with Craig Boreham's focus on exploring the contrast between a person's exterior and emotions beneath, the film presents a captivating exploration of sexuality, loneliness, and overall lifestyle. The production of 'Lonesome' is a testament to the heartfelt talent of director Craig Boreham, as it brings a fresh perspective to the entertainment scene, shedding light on less-depicted neighborhoods of Sydney and the authentic queer culture in Australia.
