Defying Gravity _ 1997 _

Defying Gravity | 1997 | Defying Gravity is a 1997 independent gay-themed romantic drama directed by John Keitel and starring Daniel Chilson, Niklaus Lange, Don Handfield, and Linna Carter. Filmed in 13 days, using a cast largely of first-time actors, the film played the gay and lesbian film festival circuit in 1997 and 1998. It was Keitel’s first film as a writer-director. John “Griff“ Griffith, an average college student, is active in his fraternity and lives in the frat house. He has a bunk bed in the room he shares with his best friend Todd Bently, Doogie and his pledge Stewy. Another of his fraternity brothers, Pete Bradley, has moved out of the frat house and into a house he shares with other students. Griff and Pete have a secret sexual relationship, but Griff’s close-knit fraternity life puts a strain on it. Griff is satisfied with the arrangement, but Pete is not. Griff, Doogie, Todd, and Heather are studying at the library. Pete is also there browsing the stacks and overhears Griff inviting girl flirt Gretchen to a fraternity party. Pete storms out of the library with Griff quickly following. Griff tackles Pete and straddles him and asks, “What’s your problem?“ and “Come on Pete, what do you want from me?“ Pete tells Griff that you’re my problem and tells him, “I want to wake up next to you, read the newspaper, and maybe go out on a date.“ Griff realizes that Pete is ready to break up with him so Griff quickly agrees to go on a date with Pete. Griff is annoyed when he discovers that he is meeting Pete at a gay coffeehouse. He runs into Sam, an out, loud, and proud activist, who is passing out flyers for a “community action patrol“ to help prevent gay bashing. The juxtaposition of “closeted“ and “out“ gay people heightens the drama and serves as comic relief at the same time. The “date“ ends with Griff telling Pete that he wants no part of the lifestyle displayed by the coffeehouse’s clientele. They both leave and separate in anger with Pete walking up a dark alley and Griff getting into his Jeep. Griff then notices a black truck, going up the alley after Pete. The next day Griff and his fraternity brothers are amazed to find out that Pete has been viciously attacked and is comatose in the local hospital. Griff is obviously shocked and disoriented, but the others are concerned about the negative impact on their upcoming rush week of having a gay member of their fraternity. At a special “house meeting“, Buchanan, the head of the house, tells the others that there is a criminal investigation of Pete’s attack. The response of some of the fraternity brothers is anything but sympathetic to Pete. Directed by John Keitel Written by John Keitel Produced by Jack Koll David Clayton Miller Starring Daniel Chilson Niklaus Lange Don Handfield