Sequin in a Blue Room

Boldly announcing itself as "a homosexual film by Samuel Van Grinsven", this Aussie drama delivers a refreshingly modern look at the freedoms and dangers that can define young gay life. Sixteen-year-old Sequin (Conor Leach) is so called because of the glittering top he wears to hook up with older men via an app. Ignoring the advances of his shy classmate (Simon Croker), he enjoys casual sex with strangers, but when an encounter with a married man turns sinister, Sequin begins to fear for his life. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Gregg Araki and François Ozon, Van Grinsven artfully skips stagnant coming-out clichés - Sequin is already out to his dad (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) and has no problem traversing Sydney's gay scene. The film feels utterly fresh and daring in its observations, revelling in Sequin's sense of empowerment while also acting as a cautionary tale. However, its muted nature means the film can feel like it's skimming the surface of an increasingly complex world, and the repetitive nature of Sequin's journey does drain it of some dramatic power. Still, this remains a confident, eye-catching debut for Van Grinsven and his young star.