Watch-List: Nocturnal Instincts – sexed-up short films from around the world

If you’re looking for some queer content to add to your entertainment options, then Nocturnal Instincts is a collection of short films that is worth adding to your watch-list.

When night falls, passions run wild. These are films that take you on an erotic and emotional roller-coaster.

Let’s take a quick look at the five short films included in this collection.

SPIRAL – directed by Gustav Olsson

  • Country: Sweden
  • Cast: Alexander Abdallah, Emil Lindberg, Pär Malmström

Two hours before Karim and Dan are going on a trip to Argentina, Dan leaves their apartment and disappears without any trace. Suspecting that his partner may have fallen back into bad habits, Karim sets out to find him. Knowingly putting himself into harm’s way in Malmö’s seedy, crime-ridden underworld, Karim needs to have a thick skin to come out the other side, especially as Dan draws him deeper into the darkness.

FLOATING MELON – directed by Roberto F. Canuto and Xu Xiaoxi

  • Country: China
  • Cast: Vincent Xi Chen, Celia Yinmeng Yu, Sirui Wen, Xu Xu

Between the glittering skyscrapers and grimy back alleys of a bustling Chengdu, an anxious Xiao Cheng roams the night. A moment of drug-infused passion has gotten him into trouble – but in a place where hardline authorities are omnipresent, who can he turn to for help?

POOF – directed by Dean Anderson

  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Cast: Aiden Nord, Miles Higson, Howard Harling

Aaron, an apprehensive 18-year-old, is stuck. Stuck in a small town, helping his father in a job he hates. His life is soon turned upside-down when he meets Mike at a party. At first, Aaron denies his feelings but an unexpected kiss changes everything. As he enters into a hidden relationship with Mike, Aaron finds that some secrets are harder to keep than others. The more he explores his sexuality, the more he begins to consider the impact this may have on the rest of his life.

AFTER DAWN – directed by Nicolas Graux

  • Country: Belgium/Poland
  • Cast: Piotr Biedron, Tijmen Govaerts

Ensconced in a solitary existence, separation and distance have hardened Pawel’s heart – he is absolutely positive that his feelings for the young man he was in love with have long since ebbed. That is until one rainy day when he receives a visit from Clément.

NIGHT OF LOVE – directed by Omri Loukas

  • Country: Israel
  • Cast: Omri Loukas, Sasson Betzalel, Imri Sagi, Shauli Mamon, Shahar Koren, Mattan Kedem

Yonatan abandons the army in an attempt to reunite with his ex-boyfriend. But, after being rejected, he finds himself alone in Tel Aviv, without a place to sleep. Broken and confused, he heads into the night looking for consolation. On a hook-up app he meets a 40-year-old man named Sam who invites him to come over. Upon arrival, Yonatan finds himself in the midst of a party – an uninhibited wonderland filled with strange men. The night unfolds through urges of self destruction and desperation. But all Yonatan wants is a warm human embrace. And so begins the journey of an 18 year old boy who’s looking for home.

The Male Gaze: Nocturnal Instincts is distributed by NQV Media

Written By
More from Gareth Johnson

Culture Diary: Spring festivals in Brussels

As well as bringing some much-needed sunshine, the arrival of Spring also...
Read More