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Longtime Companion

Longtime Companion

Written by: Daniel Theophanous
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 Longtime Companion is a podcast dedicated to conversations and analysis of queer themes in film.All rights reserved Art
Episodes
  • EPISODE 25: Sebastiane - Interview with writer Robert Stinner

    EPISODE 25: Sebastiane - Interview with writer Robert Stinner
    Jul 22 2024
    For this episode along with my guest will be dissecting Derek Jarman’s historical, religious, but ultimately queer debut Sebastiane. Released in 1976, is set in a sun drenched rocky coast line of the Mediterranean island of Sardinian. With a dialogue entirely in Latin, Sebastiane tells the story of the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The film is not a biopic by any means but more of a queer BDSM interpretation of this biblical story. The film, was seen as one of the first unlicensed ‘underground’ queer films, which was allowed into the public spaces of commercial cinema and television and one that featured positive images of gay sexuality, in comparison to previously released queer films. But also, interestingly it was also the first ever film passed by the British Board of Film Censors that depicted an erect penis. To talk to me about the film, I invited along film critic and writer Robert Stinner. It’s a conversation I very much enjoyed where we able to discuss in depth the films audacious homoeroticism, its timelessness and its influence on future queer filmmaking. Thank you for listening! Music: James Jones @james-jones-music Follow us on I: @ltcompanion / F: @LongtimeCompanion
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    31 mins
  • EPISODE 24: Theo & Hugo - Interview with film critic Gary Kramer

    EPISODE 24: Theo & Hugo - Interview with film critic Gary Kramer
    May 7 2024
    Paris 05:09 Theo and Hugo (2016) Dir. Oliver Ducastel and Jacques Martineau For this episode will be talking about the film Paris 05:09 Theo and Hugo. Released in April 2015, Theo and Hugo is directed by French director duo and real-life couple Oliver Ducastel and Jacques Martineau. The film stands out for its striking with its 20-minute opening scene which takes place in a Parisian gay sex club, where we are privy to a continuous un-simulated orgy. Visuals which feature copious amounts of naked male flesh and erect penises in all manner of sexual positions. What is most interesting, despite the scene's explicitness it never feels gratuitous, exploitative, or unnecessary. Theo and Hugo explores ever so delicately the boundaries of what is deemed pornographic in the context of arthouse cinema. Once out the sex club, the film takes a romantic trajectory but one with a twist as the protagonist couple traverse through the Parisian night. The revelation of Hugo’s HIV status complicates matters for the new-found lovers, but in doing so brings forth vital discussions around HIV and gay relationships in the modern world of pep and prep, scarcely explored cinematically elsewhere. For this episode, I invited back on film critic Gary Kramer. I hope you enjoy our discussion as much as I did. Thank you for listening! Music: James Jones @james-jones-music Follow us on I: @ltcompanion / F: @LongtimeCompanion
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    34 mins
  • EPISODE 23: Greek Pete - Interview with film critic Gary Kramer

    EPISODE 23: Greek Pete - Interview with film critic Gary Kramer
    Jan 14 2024
    Greek Pete (2009) Dir. Andrew Haigh Greek Pete is a documentary /mockumentary drama released in 2009. It is the debut film by British director Andrew Haigh, who’s camera gains unfettered access into the day-to-day existence of gay male escort Pete Pittaros. Filming him over a prolonged period time, documenting all aspects of his life. From the interactions with clients, his relationship, his friendships, his ambitions, his contradictions, his work ethic, to his family and his immigrant background. Without it ever being exploitative or judgemental, Haigh’s first feature is a bold, in-depth character study which highlights the life of an individual who functions very much in the periphery. The film is indicative what is to become Haigh’s signature style, a reserved observing style which simultaneously feels very intimate. In Greek Pete he zooms in on the mundaneness of Pete’s life in equal measures as the more extraordinary moments. Scenes of Pete doing house chores muster the same sensation as a full-on explicit sex scene with a client. Further having Pete at points, just ramble on at the camera, he manages to capture what lies beneath the muscled, sexed-up, ambitious bravado, which is a sensitive, young, immature soul, still trying to make sense of his life. Joining me on this episode is film critic Gary Kramer who boldly agreed to talk to me about the film. Gary has extensively written about queer films and his writing can currently be seen in Salon.com, Gay City News, San Francisco Bay Times, Philadelphia Gay News, The Queer Archives etc Thank you for listening. Music: James Jones @james-jones-music Follow us on I: @ltcompanion / F: @LongtimeCompanion
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    34 mins
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