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March 13, 2013 | www.gaycitynews.com
FILM
Arab Gangs of London In a world of violence and drugs, two brothers united by blood, divided by sexuality BY GARY M. KRAMER
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PALADIN PICTURES
y Brother the Devil” is a stunning film about two Egyptian siblings in London. Devilishly handsome Rashid (James Floyd), who is involved in a drugdealing gang, tries to keep his devil-maycare younger brother Mo (Fady Elsayed) out of harm’s way. Rashid decides he wants out of the drug gang culture and takes a job with photographer Sayyid (Saïd Taghmaoui), eventually — and unexpectedly — becoming romantically involved with him. Meanwhile, Mo gets pulled into the gang, much to Rashid’s chagrin.
MY BROTHER THE DEVIL Directed by Sally El Hosaini Paladin Pictures Opens Mar. 22 Landmark Sunshine Cinema 143 E. Houston St., btwn. First & Second Aves. landmarktheatres.com
Writer and director Sally El Hosaini deftly intertwines stories of gang war, the bonds between brothers, Arab tradition and culture in England, and sexual exploration in a stylish drama notable
James Floyd and Fady Elsayed in Sally El Hosaini’s “My Brother the Devil.”
for its authenticity. In separate Skype conversations, Gay City News spoke with El Hosaini and Floyd about this outstanding film. From London, El Hosaini talked about her motivation in creating a film about ethnicity, masculinity, and sexuality. “I’m half-Egyptian, which is why the
brothers are half-Egyptian,” she said. “My instinct was to make heroes out of people who don’t already have an iconic representation in cinema — or any representation.” Explaining that “My Brother the Devil” is dedicated to her late brother, Sherif, she added, “But it’s not autobiographical
in any way.” Instead, El Hosaini did years of research on interracial gangs in London, learning the street language and the male codes of behavior. “I thought about what it means to be a man, and I wanted to see how someone explores their sexuality within that doubly homophobic environment — the implicit one in the family and in the urban gang culture,” she explained. “I could relate to the masks that they wear, and as mixed race, I can understand the contradictory or opposing sides of something. I was fascinated by how they navigated these worlds — and how they switched so readily.” This duality is seen when Rashid is dancing with his lover Sayyid, only to transform into a different person when he gets a call from a drug contact. From Los Angeles, Floyd also addressed the depiction of masculinity in the film. “Most of the film is about what it means to be a man,” he said. “These guys put a mountain of pressure on themselves to be men. They are extremely homophobic and yet constantly flirting with one another. All
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THE DEVIL, continued on p.23
When Brutality is an Entitlement D.B. Sweeney creates a drug-addled prison guard with an unexpected tender side BY Gary M. Kramer
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BREAKING GLASS PICTURES
he prison drama “K-11” gets its name from the LGBT unit of the Los Angeles county jail — “a sanctuary for br oken toys” cracks one character. This is where Raymond Saxx, Jr. (Goran Visnjic), a straight man, finds himself incarcerated after being accused of homicide. Raymond is too drugged up to recall the circumstances of the crime. As he sobers up, he must navigate K-11’s power
K-11 Directed by Jules Stewart Breaking Glass Pictures Opens Mar. 15 Cinema Village 22 E. 12th St. cinemavillage.com
structure in his quest to recover his freedom. The cell is run by an inmate named Mousey (Kate del Castillo), a transgender
Kate del Castillo and B.D. Sweeney in Jules Stewart’s “K-11.”
queen bee. She is in cahoots of sorts with Sergeant Johnson (D.B. Sweeney), a corrupt, drug-fueled guard who is in love with her. Sweeney and del Castillo steal the film, sinking their teeth into their juicy roles. On the phone from Los Angeles, Sweeney spoke about making “K-11”
and playing a violent, drug-abusing sexual predator. “It’s always a fun challenge to play someone different from you,” he said. “I’ve never had any problems with drugs. The drugs cloud his judgment, but he is a cunning character who is able to get ahead.”
Johnson works things to his advantage throughout the film. He “buys” Raymond for his unit, and there is a suggestion that the officer has designs on the hunk. “K-11” drips with erotic tension whenever Johnson hints he will use sexual dominance to control the male and transgender inmates. “It comes down to entitlement,” Sweeney said in explaining his character’s motivation. “Sergeant Johnson decided that because of all his experiences and all the wrongs committed against him, he will take everything he can.” The actor talked about visiting the actual K-11 unit in the LA County jail system and meeting young officers horrified by what they witnessed. “It’s interesting that it’s a mandatory first stop for cadets out of the academy, but Johnson who gets there can’t leave,” he said. “This is a guy very comfortable in a hellish environment.” The actor admitted he’s had a couple
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k-11, continued on p.25