Review: A gay writer gets risky to supercharge his stalled literary career in ‘Sebastian’

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As a seasoned cinephile who’s spent a good chunk of my life engrossed in films that explore the human condition, I must say “Sebastian” is a captivating and thought-provoking addition to the autofiction genre. Directed by Mikko Mäkelä, this film masterfully weaves together the delicate threads of fact and fiction, leaving the viewer questioning the very essence of identity.

Writing about personal experiences can be both empowering and limiting. The movie “Sebastian” by director Mikko Mäkelä explores this dilemma as a young author tries to solve it. He constructs his life specifically for use in his imagined stories, but this act forces him to confront the blurred lines between truth and fiction, between his real self and the character he’s crafted.

Hailing from Edinburgh and currently thriving in London as a freelance writer, the captivating Ruaridh Mollica, whom we’ll call Max, yearns for greater achievements. He’s grown tired of sending subpar short stories and reviewing others’ work. Much like other driven young adults, he feels he’s not progressing quickly enough. Inspirations such as Bret Easton Ellis, who published his first novel at 21, fuel this sense of urgency within Max. To ignite passion in his writing, he secretly works as an escort for older gentlemen under the alias “Sebastian.” Following each encounter, he immediately settles down to pen another chapter for his ongoing novel—a tale centered around a self-assured sex worker named Sebastian.

In Mäkelä’s movie, the interlocking nature mirrors the filmmaker’s captivation with the joys and pitfalls of autofiction. Max justifies his involvement in prostitution as a means to enrich his novel concepts. However, he frequently experiences discomfort during these instances of intimate encounters. Filmed using close-ups and medium shots that intensely capture desire, these sexual scenes are surprisingly poignant, leaving both characters and viewers deeply touched.

In simpler terms, Max’s charm is irresistible both on paper and in real life. A colleague playfully comments that he has a charming, ordinary-guy appeal, but there’s a hidden, risqué side to him. As Max engages in more complex situations (like group drug use with strangers, recurring meetings with a man who recognizes him at literary events, and a trip funded by a regular client), he becomes more daring yet feels increasingly confined by his secret lifestyle.

Over time, Max finds himself in late-night gatherings with men who offer him unexpected kindness and affection. These encounters awaken emotions within him he’s not sure how to handle. As he navigates self-realization, he channels his experiences into his own projects. Before long, his editor praises his work, commending its honest (and profitable) portrayal of the gay sex industry, free from stigma and suffering.

In Mollica’s portrayal, Max appears as a taut, young individual yearning for a reflection of his identity in the eyes of others. He frequently appears on-screen, often by himself, making up a significant portion of the film. His frequent furtive glances keep us guessing about the true nature of this slender youth – is he a carefree guy who ditches bar hook-ups for work engagements that provide richer writing material? Perhaps he’s a dedicated writer who spends late hours typing away, pretending to understand his partners better than they know themselves? Or maybe he’s an unsure youngster searching for approval from clients and peers alike?

In a conversation about his writing, Max says, “I make my mark on the world through words.” He adds that these words are like the footprints he leaves behind. However, he soon wishes he hadn’t said it, feeling it sounded overly dramatic. Yet, young writers often struggle with being too serious, as Max does. As his novel and interactions with a specific client (portrayed delicately by Jonathan Hyde) take on a more romantic tone, his editor urges him to revert back to the blunt style he was previously known for.

Mäkelä’s film skillfully blends the raw intrigue of voyeurism and realistic portrayal, creating a captivating masterpiece that might be slightly overly literary. It subtly references authors such as Ellis, Jean Genet, and Cyril Collard. The movie, “Sebastian,” presents an artist’s journey as a young sex worker with a poignant authenticity, shedding light on the enduring exploration of fleeting, transactional intimacies in queer literature as sites for deeper understanding.

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2024-08-04 18:10