Episode 4 - Homebound Desires: Exploring Sexuality in Two 70s Movies

One-location Movie's Podcast

I watched "The Servant," again to get ready for this podcast, a film that I added to my one-location movie exploration journey. This 1963 British classic has more layers than I remembered. When I first watched it was several years ago while working on our movie script called "Lines." with my brilliant writing companion, Stacey Williams. We looked at "The Servant" for inspiration on power dynamics. The stair scene was a revelation, exploring how power shifts between characters – I later turned that script into a black and white graphic novel, which led me to start this platform, delving even deeper into the world of a one-location movie universe.

What I had in my mind was that "The Servant" is a one-location movie. But guess what? No, I noticed a few scenes outside the house – a restaurant, phone booth, bar, pub, and even a snowy park. Although they are short and convey a sense of claustrophobia, I was unsure if "The Servant" really fit the one-location bill, Yet, as the story unfolded between the butler and the master within the walls of that house, I realised it had so much more to teach about shadows, the power of location, and storytelling within a confined space.

To mix things up, I paired "The Servant" with a 1970 American film, "The Boys in the Band." But the main gig is the house – a private space where characters spill their truths in their own way.

What ties these films together is not just the physical setting but the intricate dance of mirrors and reflections, portraying the duality of characters. The combination of anger, ambiguity, and despair within the confines of a home creates a disturbing yet powerful cinematic experience.

"The Boys in the Band" takes us from room to room, with every space carefully set up to tell a story. The house becomes a character itself, shaping the characters' interactions and the passage of time.

In both films, the house serves as more than just a backdrop; it's a lens through which we explore the complexities of human behaviour in a confined space. It's an intimate arena where characters reveal their true selves, and the visual language of mirrors adds another layer to the storytelling.

Exploration of homosexuality in the most intimate place, at home. From bathroom, bedroom to kitchen and living room of one-location wonders, where the house becomes not just a setting but a key player in the narrative of most private human experience.

It's a setting that lets characters be their true selves, setting the stage for some serious drama. It's a canvas for exploring humanity's most vulnerable, exposed, and self-destructive aspects.

Remember, when you're shooting in a home, you've got the green light to dive into your characters' raw, unfiltered version. It's a space where they can be more intimate, more real. So, if you're considering making a one-location movie in a home, I'd recommend studying these two films frame by frame, especially with muting the sound – it could bring a whole new level to your project.

Stick around for more episodes, and more one-location movie magic. Until next time, happy watching!