Weekend

Colour, HD CAM
United Kingdom, 2011, 96 min
EP – European premiere
Section: Forum of Independents

Synopsis

It was meant to be a one-night stand. After an evening out with friends, shy lifeguard Russell stops by a gay bar and in the morning wakes up with a hangover and Glen. The two men are unable to say goodbye despite the fact that the preconditions were none too auspicious; on top of that, they differ in character and experience, and have incompatible ideas about relationships. Their weekend together is spent in discussions, drug taking, sex – and further discussions that gradually reveal more and more experiences and opinions, as well as their inner selves, which betray similar longings. Is hope emerging for a solid relationship? Or is their time together limited to just this one weekend? Although Weekend focuses on a gay relationship, the questions it raises are generally applicable and its themes are universal and ever-current – searching for the courage to overcome one’s fears, memories of the past, and becoming vulnerable. The filmmaker’s successful effort at authenticity, a carefully constructed script, and precise acting performances from leads Tom Cullen and Chris New are the greatest assets of this formally simple and verbally laconic film.

About the director

Andrew Haigh (b. 1973, Yorkshire, United Kingdom) started in film as an assistant editor on such movies as Gladiator (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001), and Mister Lonely (2007), while at the same time shooting his own shorts. In 2009 he debuted with the micro-budget movie Greek Pete, charting a year in the life of a young London prostitute. Weekend is his second feature.