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Un Difetto di Famiglia (Family Flaw),  starring Nino Manfredi and Lino Banfi

Ariztical Entertainment, 2002; 108 minutes; available on DVD
comedy, foreign (Italian)

For four decades, Nicolo has successfully ignored his brother's homosexuality by disowning him and raising his own family. But, after the death of their 103-year-old mother, the conservative Nicolo is forced to face the flamboyant Francesco—they have to drive to their hometown together, to plan her funeral and try to provide her last wish: that the two would be together for her burial. The comedic road trip is set and filmed in southern Italy. (A suggestion: If you don't know Italian, try to cope with the subtitles, even if you have to watch twice—the dubbing is bad and terribly off-track.)

An English-language trailer is available here:  http://www.ariztical.com/screening_room/family_flaw_medium.html

Latter Days,  starring Wes Ramsey and Steve Sandvoss with a strong supporting cast

tla Releasing, 2003; 107 minutes; available on DVD
male coming of age, religion, unsupportive parent

While Latter Days is indeed a not-very-flattering look at the religion known as Mormonism, the film also ventures into an exploration of the positive impact that simple faith can have. Nineteen-year-old Aaron Davis is a missionary who is assigned to Los Angeles for the summer. There, he meets and develops an interest in "saving" Christian, a misdirected and uninspired, gay party boy neighbor. But, in trying to help Christian, Aaron must acknowledge and face his own feelings. His long struggle to come to terms with being gay includes rejection by his family, excommunication from the church, and painful sessions of "ex-gay" therapy (which is portrayed in the film). As Aaron comes to terms with his chosen path, Christian develops a faith of his own that helps him realize and focus on what he wants in life.

An interview with screenwriter/director C. Jay Cox is available here, on Beliefnet, a religious blog, along with a slew of posted comments:  http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Latter-Day-Saints/2004/02/A-Topic-Deeply-Buried.aspx

Rock Haven,  starring Sean Hoagland and Owen Alabado

tla Releasing, 2006; 78 minutes; available on DVD
male coming of age, religion, unsupportive parents, supportive parents

The photographic technique and coastal scenery alone (Bodega Bay in Sonoma and Marin Counties, California) make this a "must-see" film, if you like brilliant colors and rocks, waves, and clear blue skies, that is; however, the story in this short film is worthy of a view, as well, as far as it goes. Eighteen-year-old Brady has just moved to Rock Haven and lives alone with his widowed mother, a religious woman who is totally blinded to the world's realities by her adherence to the Bible. Nineteen-year-old Clifford is spending the summer nearby, also alone with his mother (Dad lives in Barcelona for some reason), who is almost overly supportive—yet, not eerily involved—in her son's already-gay life. Being in a small, coastal town, the two opposites meet, of course, and slowly wander and falter through a fairly natural and realistic journey in getting to know and understand each other. Brady's journey is the focus, since he has the hurdles of faith and self-hating introspection, then discovery and self-acceptance, and the initial discovery of self-respect to jump along the way.

A trailer and some stills are available here:  http://www.rockhavenmovie.com/media.html
A review is posted here, at Oasis Magazine, a supportive online blog and forum for glbt youth: 
http://www.oasisjournals.com/2007/06/rock-haven-movie-review

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