Boys Grammar

[numerobis]

I came across this nice film that deals with the matter of growing up as a gay teen, repression, violence and love mixed together; and I though of sharing it with you guys.

What are your interpretations about this (short) film?


http://youtube.com/watch?v=SC13lPBLMQU



Boys Grammar

Director's Statement:

Like many Australians, I was deeply disturbed by reports of ritualized bullying and sexual assault occurring at Sydney's elite schools. When those responsible were brought to trial, it was revealed their acts were part of a private school culture that turned a blind eye to endemic bullying.

While I was shocked, I was not all together surprised. I also attended a private boys' school in Melbourne and bore silent witness to the suffering of peers. At my school, students were often made to feel embarrassed about being assaulted, knowing their complaints would fall on deaf adult ears.

This type of trauma leaves a permanent, life long scar on the victim. It becomes internalized and often leads to dysfunctional relationships later in life. It becomes part of a cycle of aggression which stays in a family for generations. It can also help shape a world view in which the strong survive and the weak continue to suffer.

Media reports of the incidents were reluctant call them 'sexual assault' even though the victims were penetrated with purpose-made wooden objects. The insecurity I detected with the sexual nature of the crimes reminded me that much high school bullying occurs as a means by which perpetrators deal with their own insecurity about male identity and sexuality.

Boys Grammar is an interpretive exploration of these issues. It paints a scenario in which male sexuality can only be expressed through violence; where the masculine ethos dictates that silently overcoming trauma makes one into a better man.

The film's victim is forced to express himself in the only 'grammar' acceptable in his world -- masculine aggression. But in the final violent act, he reveals more than rage -- is this love, reconciliation or simply a desire to end the violence?

I hope the audience will put their own interpretation on this heightened dramatic scenario and think broadly about the themes of the story; not just in the context of private schools, but how they manifest throughout society.

Dean Francis, February 2005

 

[Soilwork]

Um... not to nitpick, but why did those straight guys just happen to have a large dildo on hand in the locker room?

 

[numerobis]

That is one of the issues that the movie deals with, what I understand is that the one that rape him is a closeted gay boy, that the only way to get intimate with a man is with aggression and homophobia

PS: this movie it is suppose to be based on a true case. So, go figure.

 

[james1200]

not only did they happen to just have with them a rather large, large dildo in the shower, there was really soft, romantic music playing as they were gang-raping the boy. lovely.

methinks the director is full of shit. or shite as you might say.

 

[cosmicblue]

Powerful vid,

 

[numerobis]

You guys are the worst nightmare of a Director, Lol.

Doesn’t your mothers never told you not to go out without a dildo with you, you never know when you could need one.

Now serious guys focus on the meaning!

 

[Xavier_Holland]

Ok ok. Hold on before anyone says anything or judges the guy. I was a homophobic highschool jock because I was raped by a friend as a 13 year old. Unfortunately, I remember in highschool I had a buddy named Ross who would pressure me against the gay community in our school.

I still feel horrible to this day for the things I did. And I felt horrible every minute, like a part of me was only hurting myself. Beating the kids up and taking their books, their money, sometimes shoes or an article of clothing leaving them embarrassed and odd. My father said it was the right thing to do as well. How fags were different and needed to be taught not to do such things.

At the same time, I had a young friend who liked me. And through him I shared my feelings for the girl I loved. He would,"share," with me kissing and hugging and things felt great with him. He was my best friend and helped me get over what had happened earlier in my life. Eventually when I graduated I saw a boy I remember humiliating because he was gay. I raised my hand to pat him on the back and he began to blink and shield himself fiercly.

It was then I knew. What we did in Madison High was wrong.

And when I got out of the Army I realized what I was. And why it hurt so badly to do those things. My friends had pressured me into doing unspeakable things in such horrifying ways that I listened. It was what I had to do...

I'm gonna call my boyfriend and ask him how he is now and reassure myself I'm a good person. Or try to.....

 

[SilverRRCloud]

People tend to turn into bullies at a drop of a hat. Even very nice, considerate and good people get carried away at times.

The notion that they would have to face criminal prosecution and all the pleasures and expenses involved, helps everybody give it second thoughts. And very quickly so.

Once couple of top bullies got in trouble, everyone learned very fast and behaved in the best possible fashion.

Shoot the leaders and everyone else falls in line, very quickly.

SC

 

[numerobis]

Ok ok. Hold on before anyone says anything or judges the guy. I was a homophobic highschool jock because I was raped by a friend as a 13 year old. Unfortunately, I remember in highschool I had a buddy named Ross who would pressure me against the gay community in our school.

I still feel horrible to this day for the things I did. And I felt horrible every minute, like a part of me was only hurting myself. Beating the kids up and taking their books, their money, sometimes shoes or an article of clothing leaving them embarrassed and odd. My father said it was the right thing to do as well. How fags were different and needed to be taught not to do such things.

At the same time, I had a young friend who liked me. And through him I shared my feelings for the girl I loved. He would,"share," with me kissing and hugging and things felt great with him. He was my best friend and helped me get over what had happened earlier in my life. Eventually when I graduated I saw a boy I remember humiliating because he was gay. I raised my hand to pat him on the back and he began to blink and shield himself fiercly.

It was then I knew. What we did in Madison High was wrong.

And when I got out of the Army I realized what I was. And why it hurt so badly to do those things. My friends had pressured me into doing unspeakable things in such horrifying ways that I listened. It was what I had to do...

I'm gonna call my boyfriend and ask him how he is now and reassure myself I'm a good person. Or try to.....

Well I must confess that I was one of those that got bullied while I was in High School (And that wasn’t even for been Gay, so imagine the double pressure for me in those teen days), you may say that you have changed and that you are sorry for your actions, but what is true is that the trauma of those humiliations never goes away, sometimes I come across people that insulted or humiliated me, and they have the nerve to approach and greet me like those things never happen, but I am sorry I will never forgive those that harmed me, I would like to but the hate in my heart is still so strong that it hasn’t fade away yet.

Your intentions maybe good for now on, but you can’t change the past, nevertheless, I hope that God bless you in your future.

 

[Xavier_Holland]

No I can't change the past. And it still haunts me to this day, when I am with my boyfriend and the same type guys used to beat him up before I came along. I don't try to be a hero, I just try to rectify what I did and make up for it. In a way I know I didn't want to do those things in the first place, but then again I was just trying to get by in life too. And as sad as it is, teens don't know any better because they aren't adults.


I also.....don't believe in God. Though, the sentiment is there.

Your intentions maybe good for now on, but you can’t change the past, nevertheless, I hope that God bless you in your future.

 

[numerobis]

No I can't change the past. And it still haunts me to this day, when I am with my boyfriend and the same type guys used to beat him up before I came along. I don't try to be a hero, I just try to rectify what I did and make up for it. In a way I know I didn't want to do those things in the first place, but then again I was just trying to get by in life too. And as sad as it is, teens don't know any better because they aren't adults.


I also.....don't believe in God. Though, the sentiment is there.

I wasn’t judging you, as it seems that you had your own issues back then, and you at least recognize you mistakes and are trying for now on to do no harm. But we can’t justify those types of actions (and that is why I made my comment), excusing them for been immature. The academic system must rule against those actions, and the education at home should play a good part of It., you said it yourself, your father said that it was the “right thing to do”

Your boyfriend must be a lucky guy to have you now.

 

[Xavier_Holland]

My father said it was the right thing to do because he is diehard Pentacostal. And now it sickens him what I am. He used to beat me when I did something wrong and a part of me saw that as a way to fix other people when they did something wrong. Ross was an angry teenager as well and I was a big guy with alot of talkative friends. So when Ross needed something or wanted something done, I was the muscle because naturally. I admit I did not know any better. I would fear the day my friend at the time would do something to make me mess our friendship up.

I couldn't deal with being accused of what I am now because I was so young and without guidance. The 15 1/2 yr old who had touched me when I was 13(just turned) in the false pretense of friendship scarred me emotionally AND physically for I wasn't able to look at another guy and trust him enough to hug me for a long time. My best friend Chris kept asking me questions about how my first sexual experience went. It was all over school and the girl didn't deny a thing. I told him it was great, he began asking stranger questions like what would you do to feel that way again. Do you think it's cool when other guys feel that way too, would it be even cooler if you and I could feel that way together. What I did not know was the next question I answered would be the biggest mistake of my life.

Can I help you get closer to that feeling Xav? I simply replied sure and kept playing games. He paused the games, grabbed me and as I screamed he stuffed a shirt in my mouth. I was groped and forced unwillingly to remove my underwear to a length on my body that it could no longer cover any portion of my front or rear areas. Chris kept telling me to be quiet, shhhh, it'll get better just feel how good it is. Encouraging me to enjoy the warmth of his hand grasped around me.

I unwillingly and unintentionally was forced into ejaculation and I could only cry on the floor as he scurried about to fix what he had done. Later when I saw him in highschool I knew what he was and passed by him everyday, never telling his secret or what he had done to me. The final year he was there, he saw my jacket and noticed I had made Varsity as a sophmore. I could only ask him why he did it. And he said...."Because I loved you."

He made it so difficult for me to live in life I think he deserved more than any of those children did from my hatred bank.

My father...... Is a common man. And I forgive him for the words he uses against me everyday. And when he dies he will go to his heaven. When I die, I will reach a plane where I can find peace, and tranquility with those I have loved and will always love. Be it a friend or otherwise.

If my son or daughter was gay I would seriously feel guilty. And I would just hope that they could live through their life better than this bisexual has his.

I wasn’t judging you, as it seems that you had your own issues back then, and you at least recognize you mistakes and are trying for now on to do no harm. But we can’t justify those types of actions (and that is why I made my comment), excusing them for been immature. The academic system must rule against those actions, and the education at home should play a good part of It., you said it yourself, your father said that it was the “right thing to do”

Your boyfriend must be a lucky guy to have you now.

 

[GoodbyeSobriety]

Disturbing and cruel.

I didn't like.

 

[Rali_hates_Mondays]

That was indeed a powerful film. Funnily enough I'm at a private school now but thankfully it's co-educational- for boys AND girls. Although I used to study at an all boys school up to the age of 13. Thank god the school ended at 13!

What time was that film supposed to be set in? in the 60s? 70s? 80s? If so then I can understand how the homophobia is brought about. I think within every all-male insitutions there are tales of this sort. I read a bit of this book about the early medieval knight templars and how this new recruit was beaten up for refusing the sexual advances of a senior knight. However in this case I can see it's a bit different.

This is why I think a co-educational system would be better. I don't know why but when I first started at my new school, whilst at first it was a bit weird having girls in the same class, it felt right as i got used to it. It just provided a nice balance to things. I'm not suggesting that girls will end the problems as indicated in the film but if you put hormone-ridden teenage boys in the same room then it just seems chaotic.

Thanks for posting this btw, this is a really good thread.

 

[floorrunner]

No I can't change the past. And it still haunts me to this day, when I am with my boyfriend and the same type guys used to beat him up before I came along. I don't try to be a hero, I just try to rectify what I did and make up for it. In a way I know I didn't want to do those things in the first place, but then again I was just trying to get by in life too. And as sad as it is, teens don't know any better because they aren't adults.


I also.....don't believe in God. Though, the sentiment is there.

I don't buy the excuse that teens don't know any better. They do. The real problem is they don't have aenough people to call them on their unacceptable behavior.