𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 (2005)

Directed by Christopher Larkin, A Very Natural Thing (1974) stands as a landmark in queer cinema — widely considered the first gay romantic drama to receive commercial theatrical distribution in the United States. Released just a few years after the Stonewall uprising, it portrays a same-sex relationship not through the lens of tragedy or caricature, but as something normal, sincere, and emotionally resonant — as the title suggests, “a very natural thing.”

The film follows David, a former monk turned schoolteacher, as he navigates gay life in 1970s New York City. After a series of encounters, he meets Mark, a corporate executive, and the two begin a relationship. Unlike the overly dramatized or closeted portrayals common at the time, A Very Natural Thing presents their romance with honesty, warmth, and everyday struggles — from balancing career and intimacy, to disagreements about monogamy, to the desire for long-term companionship.

The film is quiet and gentle, with a documentary-like realism. Its minimalistic storytelling allows space for emotional nuance, capturing the vulnerability and awkwardness of new love. Paul Preiss and Robert Joel give subtle but deeply human performances, bringing depth to characters rarely seen with such authenticity in pre-AIDS-era queer cinema.

While not widely known today, A Very Natural Thing was groundbreaking. It dared to show gay men as simply men — with hopes, flaws, and desires for connection — and in doing so, helped pave the way for more expansive and dignified representations in LGBTQ+ film.

In a fictional modern sequel, David, now in his 70s, reflects on a life of love, loss, and progress. Living in San Francisco and teaching part-time, he reconnects with a much younger man — a queer documentary filmmaker intrigued by David’s past. As the two form a platonic but intimate bond, David is interviewed about his youth, offering stories of protest marches, heartbreaks, and fleeting ecstasies.

Meanwhile, the filmmaker begins to question his own generation’s relationship with love — swiping, ghosting, endless freedom — and wonders if something was lost along the way. Through these parallel narratives, the sequel would explore generational gaps, gay history, and the evolution of intimacy in the queer community.

Quiet but powerful, radical yet romantic, A Very Natural Thing remains a trailblazing gem — a time capsule of love and liberation that still speaks to us, fifty years later.

Also known by its alternate title Three, Survival Island (2005), directed by Stewart Raffill, is a steamy survival thriller that blends erotic drama with tension-filled isolation. The film centers on a love triangle gone wrong — both emotionally and physically — after a yachting accident leaves three people stranded on a deserted tropical island.

The story follows Jack (Billy Zane), a wealthy man who becomes stranded alongside his beautiful wife Jennifer (Kelly Brook) and the yacht’s rugged crew member Manuel (Juan Pablo Di Pace). What begins as a struggle for survival quickly devolves into jealousy, manipulation, and sexual tension. The remote setting strips away social hierarchies and moral boundaries, leading to betrayal, violence, and blurred lines between passion and power.

While Survival Island received heavy criticism for its dialogue, pacing, and perceived male-gaze-heavy tone, it does capture the primal nature of isolation: how quickly civility erodes when control is lost. The film trades subtlety for sensationalism, with erotic overtones dominating much of the narrative. Kelly Brook’s performance — often criticized more for her appearance than her acting — still adds emotional weight in key moments, especially as her character begins to shift from victim to survivor.

Despite its flaws, the film has gained a modest cult following for its trashy charm, exotic visuals, and pulpy tension. It’s not high art — but for fans of erotic thrillers with a survivalist twist, it delivers the guilty pleasures expected from the genre.

In a fictional sequel, Jennifer is now a reclusive author, writing under a pseudonym about the traumatic events of the island. When a young journalist uncovers her identity and the suppressed legal case surrounding the ordeal, Jennifer is pulled back into the public eye. But not all secrets stayed buried — and someone else from the island might still be alive.

The sequel blends psychological thriller with courtroom drama, examining survivor's guilt, media exploitation, and the question of what really happened when the cameras weren’t rolling.