Keillers park

KEILLERS PARK is a moody film noir from Sweden, a story by Pia Gradvall directed by Susanna Edwards that approaches the frequently told fears and joys of sexual coming out in a stylish and inventive way. It is a film that embellishes a fine script with creative camera work, sensitive use of flashbacks to peel the onion of the story's meaning, and employs some very fine actors who keep the drama electrified.

Peter (Mårten Klingberg) is a successful thirty-something son of a wealthy engineer who stands to inherit his family business and who is engaged to a beautiful artist Maria (Karen Bergquist). At a gathering Peter notices a handsome Algerian Nassim (Pjotr Giro) and senses feelings of sexual awareness he has not known. Nassim is a happy, popular, comfortably gay man who pursues the looks exchanged. When Maria leaves town for a concert Peter and Nassim meet in Keiller Park and begin an erotic love affair: both men genuinely fall in love and the expression of their first physical encounter is one of the most subtle yet wholly erotic on film.

Peter's involvement with Nassim affects his work, results in his father disowning him as he embraces the gay life, pushes Maria out of his life, and leaves him unemployed and alone except for Nassim. The story abruptly changes when the police breakdown Peter's door and arrest him for the murder of Nassim! Peter sits with the interrogators at the police station and in his shock that Nassim is dead, unfolds the whole story of their relationship. The secrets of Peter's life and the question as to Nassim's motivations and possible continued existence mold the resolution of the story in a manner that has explored all the highs and lows of new love and the consequences of entering a life that is intolerable to the outside world.

Both Pjotr Giro and Mårten Klingberg as the lovers offer highly nuanced performances and the supporting cast is very strong. Director Edwards has a sophisticated style not only with her actors, but also with her eye for atmosphere and pacing, using techniques of black and white for special moments and glowing warm lighting for the erotic scenes. She manages to allow us to see both sides of the 'coming out' consequences in a mature manner. KEILLERS PARK is a fine art house movie. In Swedish with English subtitles. Grady Harp

Keillers Park is an interesting flashback movie, that tells the story of Peter and Nassmin and how chance brought them together and how chance separated them. Though the movie uses flashback moments, which have been done so often in so many films, you don't have a hard time distinguishing between present and past time.

The actors are what make this film. The script can seem credible and not plausible at the same time. However, the male leads are so committed to their characters that you can believe what is happening to them.

The director does a good job of using different types of lights or colors to convey different aspects of the film, in addition to the flashbacks. Peter and Nassim's first sexual encounter is bathed in the glow of sunset and candles (as are all their love scenes, except for one, which is bathed in moonlight, and the sexual roles are reversed). Peter's look of awe, and an almost virgin like awareness of what he is experiencing, and then his ability to let his body take over, is just some great acting by Marten Klingberg. Their encounter is very gentle and soft and not exploitive. Nassim on the other hand is overly campy at times, but you care for him, and see he is more the child in the relationship that craves constant attention and wants the feeling of the first time to be constant. Nassim is who he is and has no pretense in contrast with Peter, who seems repressed, and has to shed a lot of things, including is family and fiancée. Nassim doesn't seem aware of all that Peter is losing to be with him and when they argue or Peter won't sleep with Nassim, that sees to be the reason why.

The interrogation room is in black and white and is a bit like a teenager having to account for his actions to his parents. This film is full of relationships and doors (literally) being broken down. It speaks to sexual and psychological repression very well. The foreshadowing done in the film, Nassim has dreams about being attacked and has a close call, lets you know something will happen to him. I know a part of this story is based on an actual murder, but the murder at the end, seemed unreal. Maybe that was the point, a senseless murder.

At one point I wasn't sure if this film was supposed to take place in the present or past. It seemed as if the film maker wanted it to be in the past, (the beginning dinner scene, the fiancée seems to wear a bun straight out of the 50's, Nassim's apartment has hippy beads), I wasn't sure. I think the director decided to go with modern times. So I was unclear as to if everyone finding out Peter was gay was almost an overreaction or just how people really act, which I am going to believe is the director's intent. People say they are progressive, until it comes down to a member of their own family.

This film is dark and sad, but enjoyable.

When i watch this film it was like i already saw it. A married man in is late 30's make is coming out and leave is wife. the other man he fall in love with is kill and he's the prime suspect.They show us the love story whit flashback when he pass is interrogation. The story line is the same as other coming out movies, the problem to be accepted by the family and the society whit a little twist ( i say little ) at the end. Not enough fresh for a movie fan but enjoyable on TV for an housewife on a rainy afternoon. Sorry! By chance the cast save this movie again. The Algerian boyfriend is a delight to watch and the discomfort of the co-worker is well done. But again, this is not enough. Watch instead the British movies GET REAL or BEAUTIFUL THINGS, these are powerful coming out film.

I can relate to Peter because I was a closeted gay husband for 12 years (1967-79). Unfortunately I never met a true love to draw me out of the closet and force me face the facts of life. There ain't much motivation to be honest in one-night stands.

Nassim has a most delicious body and his teasing romp in the nude is a joy to watch. The sex scenes are uncompromising and beautifully shot. I was surprised by the negative reaction from Peter's family and friends, because I thought Swedes were more accepting of homosexuality...however his wife's anger and sense of betrayal was to be expected.

Keillers Park deals honestly with men on the down-low entrapped by deception and self-hate. The film is therapeutic for me because it has helped me release a lot of bottled up guilt and shame.

As someone who has seen many gay themed films..I am well aware that in the RELIEF film makers have in being able to express films from their perspective..honestly, the theme can go bad fast. Most of the time , in an effort to express how gays and lesbians are just people , a belief I hold..a lot of the movies are just stories you have heard before , but with the players being gay. So it's hard, at least for ME to be impressed by a film, when I've seen the plot before, if the only difference is the character's sexuality. Well I think that is where this film EXCELS.

This film tells it's story in flashbacks and present. We meet Peter,and we are told his story of how he has come to the situation of being arrested and charged with the murder of his lover Nassim. We see how Peter meets the intriguing and passionate young man.. We see how Peter's repressed sexuality & psychological passion is awakened by Nassim . The initial sexual encounter speaks volumes. Peter holds back but is astonished wonder . Nassim is eager and open in every way. It is a wonderful, passionate, erotic, and beautiful encounter. And yet it is shot in a way that doesn't come across as gratuitous . And then we view the consequences of it all. Peter loses everything for the chance to be himself. Yet Nassim is passionate in such a child like manner, his wild eyed wonderment is intoxicating to Peter in the beginning, but like any relationship, that "Honeymoon phase" fades. When Peter becomes cranky and difficult , Nassim runs away.

And here is where the story gets a little tricky. There are points when you aren't sure of Peter's guilt or innocence, after you see some of Nassim's behavior. Yet you feel for Peter either way. If he did it you understand and sympathize, and if he didn't..you are hurting that he could lose even more, after he has lost so much ...all for love. You see a man sacrifice so much for love only to watch every one around him leave,loss of financial security,and the loss of what all was sacrificed for. It is a bittersweet movie . But much better than I ever expected.