Meet the Young Queer Filmmakers of Wretched Things: WATCH

Wretched Things is composed of three vignettes: one features a first-time model, another, a webcam sex worker, and the finale features a power-hungry homophobe’s journey through their insecurities and vulnerabilities. This hedonistic and seductive short film seeks to challenge toxic hyper-masculinity and the abuse of power.

The non-profit young filmmakers from Leeds walked the red carpet in Los Angeles after their LGBTQ* feature film had its U.S. Premiere at the Downtown Independent last week (June 12th). Wretched Things previously had its World Premiere in Leicester Square in London earlier this year in January, and has since been picked up by Amazon Prime. Shot entirely in Leeds, using familiar backdrops such as the Leeds Town Hall and Freedom Quarter.

“Being able to show what an incredible city Leeds is, the birthplace of film, across the pond in the capital of the film industry is such an incredible, exciting achievement for all of us who put so much hard work and effort into creating this project,” said producer of the film, Sian Carry. “Everyone worked completely voluntarily, so collaborating on something that is being recognised and celebrated is such a wonderful opportunity for the young artists who took part in this.”

Wretched Things premiere in June was chosen to coincide for LGBTQ* Pride Month, Pride in Los Angeles, and also the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall. The film explores challenging themes and issues within the LGBT community with hopes of sparking further debate and discussion.

“Film is such a powerful tool to raise awareness, create conversation and to see yourself reflected on screen,” said award-winning Writer/Director Gage Oxley. “Thankfully we are seeing more queer representation on screen and behind the camera, and having the support of Leeds institutions such as The Backroom, Leeds Trinity University and Leeds’ Film Festivals is really fantastic as someone who didn’t particularly see myself on screen when I was younger.”

Oxley and his team have a history of producing critically acclaimed and award-winning film. In 2016 making This World We Live In on just £500, which toured festivals internationally. And, in 2017 producing an ambitious one-continuous-take screendance film working with charities for the nightclub shooting in Orlando, Pulse, which has reached over 2,000,000 people online.

Wretched Things has been hailed as “powerful and pointed”, with the vice chair of London’s Film Critics Circle praising the film as being “involving and profound.”

You can watch part one, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Catch the press trailer for the provocative and hedonistic movie below. And follow the indie film company on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.