Keillers park

I would have to disagree with some of the comments previously regarding its focus on coming out. This is not a "feel good"/"coming out" movie but rather more complex issues with relationships as well as the underlying accusation of murder. I found it a shame the plot was not more complex or focused, or had more dynamic characters. This is one of those films where the acting is great, but basically the actors did not have much to work with. It's not incredible, but quite watchable in my opinion. And personally, I like that for a change, homosexuals in a movie are not all 18 or 20 somethings but instead more mature and older.

This is a film about the sexual awakening of Peter to feelings of homosexual desire. Or so the film begins, then gets muddled by the direction that becomes needlessly over-dramatic, without focus, getting dispersed by various stylistic devices that hamper our involvement. A lot of flashbacks, but with no defined spine in the story the love story starts seeming more like an infatuation, an uninspired menage, as if being a gay couple involves little more than sipping wine, watching TV, culinary delights and a lot of candles. This is so stereotypical, and unconvincing for someone who is in his thirties and discovers his true sexuality. Then the plot does not help with the heavy-handed noir feeling of the crime by-plot and Peter's family romance. It proves too much for all its stylistic swiftness, and it's a bit of a shame because all the actors are good, the two leads have chemistry in the beginning and the breath-song that occurs thrice in the soundtrack is really really innovating. It's like a distant relative of von Trier's "Element of crime" in its style, where it should have been more socially oriented, and not leaving the social and racial tensions underplayed, obvious, or overreacting.

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.

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.