Sexual tension bubbles up in new trailer for rugby flick, In From the Side
The film, which debuted at BFI Flare earlier this year is getting a cinematic release.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Verve Pictures/Robert Timothy
There’s plenty of tension on show in the new trailer for the rugby-focused film, In From The Side.
Director and co-writer Matt Carter’s debut film sees two players on a fictional South London gay rugby club conduct a secret affair behind their teammate’s and partners’ backs.
Alexander Lincoln and Alexander King, lead the scrum which also stars Peter McPherson, Will Hearle, Pearse Egan, Carl Loughlin, and Christopher Sherwood.
In the trailer, relative newcomer to the team Mark (Lincoln) hooks up with the more seasoned Warren (King) however both men are already in relationships.
“You’re going to be trouble,” Warren says to Mark during one steamy encounter. He’s far from wrong there as what starts off with a drunken encounter leads to a romantic affair that threatens to encompass everyone by the film’s end.
After a successful worldwide premiere at the BFI Flare Film Festival earlier this year and a tour of major film festivals including San Francisco’s Frameline, In From the Side is now being released in UK cinemas with Verve Pictures.
In his review of the film at Flare Attitude’s Jamie Tabberer praised the “slick, expensive-looking cinematography,” adding that “shots of actual rugby-playing are genuinely astonishing, worthy of subscription channel advertising.
“Director Matt Carter lovingly captures the game in all its primordial glory; the physicality is unfeigned, and the elemental struggle intensified rather than clouded by rain, mud and darkness.”
Of the film’s plot, Jamie described it as culminating in “an operatic showdown” and “serving drama in spades.”
Speaking to Attitude prior to the film’s debut at Flare director Matt Carter commented on the lack of homophobia in the film.
“Once we freed ourselves of that we could explore the interpersonal relationships between this group of gay men and it’s a more interesting more deep way to explore things. It’s all about community, belonging, and essentially love.”
He added: “I think it’s very easy to write about coming out or homophobia because it’s an obvious thing and it can be so traumatic. Once you free yourself of that you’re forced to explore deeper truths that can be more universally applicable.”
In From The Side slides into UK cinemas on 16 September, with previews in VUE screens on 14 September.
The Attitude July/August issue is out now.