“Sebastian” (Kino Lorber), newly released on Blu-ray, is the second full-length feature from queer writer/director Mikko Mäkelä. It tells the story of Max (hot queer actor Ruaridh Mollica), a gay man in his mid-20s. Max works as a journalist at hip Wall Magazine and is doing research for an interview he has been assigned with writer Brett Easton Ellis.
But Max also has other things on his mind. He’s in a graduate-level creative writing program (whatever the British equivalent of an MFA would be) where he’s working on his fiction. He’s already had success with his creative work, including the publication of a short story in the legendary literary journal Granta. He’s under contract with a publisher for a full-length novel, as well.
Additionally, Max moonlights as a sex worker under the name Sebastian. He has an active page on the DreamyGuys escort website. Unbeknownst to his clientele, most of whom are older men, Max is turning his experiences with them as Sebastian into a novel.
If all of this sounds like a highly combustible mixture just waiting to explode, you’re right. Bit by bit, the parts of Max’s life start to degrade, beginning with his day job. Initially, his editor at Wall believes he’s the right person to interview Ellis — a queer writer should cover a queer author, and it’s not about optics, but sensitivity and sensibility. But a distracted Max misses an important meeting and a deadline, losing the piece to a cis male writer, despite his best friend and co-worker Amna (Hiftu Quasem) going to bat for him.
His life at school is somewhat better, and he even hooks up with classmate and poet Joel (Dyaln Brady). On the other hand, Dionne (Leanne Best), his demanding editor at the press publishing his novel is making demands of Max, unaware that the character of Sebastian is actually the author himself. We see Max struggle with her various edits and suggestions, indicating that, as you may have guessed, he’s simply too close to the material.
Further complicating matters is a pair of Sebastian’s clients. The first is semi-closeted businessman Daniel (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson), the kind of wealthy person who doesn’t hesitate to remind Sebastian who it is that’s paying when his needs aren’t being met. On the opposite end is Nicholas (Jonathan Hyde), an elderly gay widower. Sebastian’s relationship with Nicholas is the closest thing to genuine affection. When everything ultimate falls apart, and Max is stranded in Brussels after a fight with Daniel, it is Nicholas who rescues him.
To his credit, filmmaker Mäkelä makes each facet of Max’s identity — sex worker, student, journalist, novelist — feel authentic, which is one of the most admirable aspects of his screenplay for “Sebastian.” Mollica and Hyde’s performances also add depth and heart to the production. Blu-ray bonus features include theatrical trailer and audio description.
Rating: B+
