When Boys Fly

This film, like the somewhat better Circuit, purports to be an expose of the circuit party scene and the dangers therein.

Although Circuit admits to being a work of fiction and this film is meant as a documentary, I felt there was more truth in Circuit than in this film.

In both cases, the films rely heavily on the appeal of the very thing they are condemning to sell tickets. Both films show a lot of the seedier facts of the scene amid buffed bodies, fantastic costumes, sparkling glitter, pounding music and oceans of drugs, I couldn't help feeling that both were hurt by this underlying dishonesty.

The reason that I would give Circuit higher marks than this one is that in Circuit, the film-maker admits on camera that although he's condemning the scene, he loves it.

...then I suspect you're possibly in denial about the community of which you are a part. If you're complaining about how shallow and pathetic the people in the film are...take a look around you the next time you're out at a meat-market West Hollywood bar (or in whatever city you live) and see if you can pick out clones of the characters in this movie. I'd put money on it that you can...AND find more than one of each. And why? Because very very sadly, the gay community is known for its addictive, destructive behavior. If it were not true, there wouldn't be a White Party Circuit in the first place. Don't you think? I have a bazillion gay friends and as a singer/songwriter, the gay community comprises at least half of my fan-base (my sister calls me the musical version of Kathy Griffin, even). But I honestly can't think of a single one of my gay friends that isn't a functioning alcoholic. Honestly. Some have drug problems. Most of them have sex indiscriminately and sometimes even unsafely. Many are addicted to pornography. And the majority are indeed self-absorbed, shallow, unreliable and flat out compulsive liars. I wish I could say that's not the case, but I can't. Of course, as with any community or social group, there are exceptions to "the rule". But this film is about "the rule" and those who are essentially trying to imply that this doc only makes your community look bad...well...wake up and smell the coffee, campers. And then become the change you wish to see in your world.

This shallow film about the gay "circuit" scene is a badly directed, filmed and edited flick about a subculture that may be interesting, but is ultimately incredibly unsympathetic.

I honestly can't stand these people, a sorry group of low-rent white trash. Toned bodies do not make a man, and the low intellect of the subjects, along with their total lack of class, make this a difficult film to watch.

The vacant eyes, moronic expressions and idiotic behavior of the "subjects" are appalling, and the fact that the "filmmakers" possibly risked the lives of some of the guys, on occasion, is quite disturbing.

And, has anyone seen a more pitiful gay man than "Todd"??????

I showed this to some 20-somethings who harken from small towns and are currently going to school where the closest gay bar is 3 hours away.

My purpose was to expose them to one aspect of gay life that is the topic of much discussion, as well as experience, so that, at the very least, if they are ever confronted with this aspect of gay life and its various situations that are integral to it, they can at least make an "informed choice".

They certainly got into the "cuteness" of the physiques, and were quick to point out how the younger lad of the couple was totally into his older partner just by the way the younger lad looked into his partner's eyes.

But the drug use and the antics of the "gay party boys" drew strong negative response.

I don't know that this movie affected my 20-somethings to the point that they will never attend a Circuit Party; I do know that they don't view Circuit Parties as something "mysterious"/"intriguing" - filled with adventure and lust and romance - even a gay rite of passage.

Rolov and Halpern have made a beautiful and powerful film with "When Boys Fly." I had never thought of the world of gay circuit parties as something I would find particularly intriguing, yet this film answered questions I didn't even know I had. A must see!