Boys Life 5

Boys Life 5 is the fifth installment of the Boys Life series, which collects LGBT-related short films. Distributed by Strand Releasing. This gay anthology of short films about unrequited love should strike a universal chord with audiences of all persuasions. Fans of these short films should note that director Eytan Fox returned to similar subject matter in his full-length Yossi & Jagger (2002); filmmaker Michael Burke expanded "Fishbelly White" into the full length film The Mudge Boy (2003); and Adam Salky (director) (along with original writer David Brind) expanded and remade Dare into a full length feature film, also entitled Dare (2009).

Boys Life 5 consists of the following segments:

"Fishbelly White" chronicles the rural isolation of childlike Duncan (Mickey Smith), who's been lonely since his mother's death. Because his care-worn father ignores him, Darren befriends the farm animals and adopts a chicken as his pet. Abused by his own father, an older adolescent named Perry (Jason Hayes) takes a shine to the outcast. Proclaiming they aren't gay, Darren and Perry suppress a mutual attraction that would outrage Perry's macho friends. Directed by Michael Burke.

"Late Summer" deals with the sort of unspecified childhood crush that both gays and straights have experienced. After his parents die in a car crash, Adam goes to live with an aunt and uncle; Adam's popular cousin Josh (Chris Nee) takes him under his wing. Responding to this all-American teen's guidance, the sheltered Adam learns how to skateboard and use a still-camera. Frozen in time, one picture celebrates how Josh lives on in his younger cousin's heart. Directed by David Ottenhouse.

"Time Off" offers viewers a tour of duty with Israeli soldiers during the First Lebanon War, in 1982. In a bivouac, sensitive Yonatan (Hanoch Re'im) wonders why gung-ho Lieutenant Erez (Gil Frank) picks on him. On leave in the city, Yonatan discovers the answer, when he wanders into a known gay pick-up spot. Directed by Eytan Fox.

In "Dare," Ben (Adam Fleming), a teenage techie, shines a spotlight on Johnny (Michael Cassidy), a jock stumbling through the lead in the school play. Keeping his adoration a secret, the backstage crewmember offers to run lines with the athlete. At Johnny's house, Ben drinks and jokes provocatively with his crush. After some good-natured teasing, the two teens take a dip in the pool. An exchange of confidences weaves a spell broken by the intrusion of classmates. Directed by Adam Salky.