Closet Monster

Monday, May 30, 2016, 22:00 Cinematheque 1
Tuesday, June 7, 19:00 Cinematheque 1
Tickets are available at 03-6060800 ext. 9
or click on English menu and select the date at the Cinematheque web site

Director: Stephen Dunn
Cast: Connor Jessup, Isabella Rossellini
Canada, 2015, 90 min., English w/ Hebrew subtitles

Tonronto International Film Festival 2015 – Best Canadian Feature Award
Atlantic Film Festival 2015 – Best Director Award & Best Screenwriter Award
Stockholm International Film Festival 2015
Belfast Film Festival 2016
BFI Flare 2016 – London LGBT Film Festival

Legendary film star Isabella Rossellini voicing a hamster is good enough a reason to watch Closet Monster; that, and the fact that the directorial debut by Stephen Dunne is just fantastic.
As a child Oscar witnessed a violent, homophobic hate crime. As an adolescent formulating his sexual identity, that traumatic event suddenly resurfaces in Oscar's consciousness, changing his daily life. On top of that, his mother leaves the family home, and Oscar remains with his homophobic, emotionally distressed father.
His best friend Gemma and pet hamster Buffy rally to help him overcome his childhood trauma and confront the various issues in his life.
Closet Monster successfully integrates a surrealist essence, somewhat reminiscent of the work of David Cronenberg, into an emotive, uncompromising family drama. Leading actor Connor Jessup is impressive in his role as Oscar, as is Aliocha Schneider, who plays Wilder, the young man who arouses desire in Oscar's heart.