QCA Film: Starcrossed
Two words: Gay incest—frightening or fantasy? Whether you find it titillating or taboo, the controversial subject matter of the short film Starcrossed keeps it fresh even though it came out 2005. Alienated from their overbearing father, young Connor fosters a close friendship with his older brother Darren. But when a kiss on the lips awakens their true feelings for each other, the two must keep their forbidden love a secret from their parents and girlfriends or else pay the price.
The word “starcrossed” comes from the prologue of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and that the film is accordingly dramatic. Thankfully, the writer and director James Burkhammer II doesn’t debase the material by treating it in a tawdry way. He creates an alternately tense and tender atmosphere in beautiful blues and grays, using talented actors, and a great score. He definitely sacrifices plausibility and character development by trying to cram too much into a 15-minute film, but the film does add an extra twist on the “love that dare not speak its name.” Some people view homosexuality the same way others view consensual love between two blood relatives. But let us know, what do you think? Sure this film is a fantasy, but can incest ever be OK when the two lovers consent or is it always an unhealthy emotional relationship?
You can see the full film after the jump!
BTW, we chose a version with Spanish subtitles because it had the best image and sound resolution we could find.
