This film is part of Rentals
Tall Dark Stranger
Are you ready to strut your stuff? Take a bracing, sexy cruise around the diverse 1980s gay scene.
Director: Paul Oremland
Overview
After a gentle opening in which a gay schoolboy explains his love of cruising, we hear a number of older, wiser male voices who reveal their youthful experiences of dipping a toe into London’s gay scene. From drag routines from David Dale to clone queens discussing the AIDS crisis, this 80s TV programme offers an unusually vivid and poetic look at queer lives.
This episode of the LGBT documentary series Ace of Hearts was later criticised by director Paul Oremland, who regarded it as a flawed experiment, but its meandering guide through clubs and cruising grounds - some long gone - make for a heady viewing experience. Unlike the other episodes, which focused exclusively on gay figures, it includes an interview with a bisexual man. Before it had even been broadcast, Six of Hearts was a target of protest from Mary Whitehouse. Thankfully, Channel 4 ignored her concerns and these remarkable snapshots of gay culture are available to view for the next generation.
Related
The Pass The Pass
Drama 2016 86 mins Director: Ben A. Williams
Russell Tovey stars as a Premier League footballer who shares a fumbled pass (of the sexual kind) with a teammate (Arinzé Kene), changing everything - both on and off the pitch.
Entertaining Mr Sloane Entertaining Mr Sloane
Comedy 1970 94 mins Director: Douglas Hickox
Joe Orton’s delicious slice of suburban perversity, in which Beryl Reid’s lascivious landlady and her gay brother attempt to seduce their psychopathic tenant.
Entertaining Mr Sloane Entertaining Mr Sloane
1968 81 mins Director: Peter Moffatt
Surprisingly risqué TV adaptation of one of Joe Orton’s best known plays, filmed shortly after his murder.
Wild Flowers Wild Flowers
Romance 1989 68 mins Director: Robert Smith
Robert Smith's Wild Flowers is an exquisite drama set at the funeral for a daughter, where her mother remembers the passionate yet painful affair she once had with another woman in Scotland.
The Book of Gabrielle The Book of Gabrielle
Drama 2016 79 mins Director: Lisa Gornick
Lisa Gornick's funny and frank drama sketches the relationship between a sex-obsessed lesbian illustrator and a randy hetero author, who bond over their favourite subject.
50 Years Legal 50 Years Legal
Documentary 2017 77 mins Director: Simon Napier-Bell
Five decades on from the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, a range of LGBTQ+ stars (including Sir Elton John and Stephen Fry) reflect on Britain's history of prejudice, persecution and liberation.
Mysterious Ways Mysterious Ways
Drama 2023 90 mins Director: Paul Oremland
Paul Oremland’s impassioned drama is a searing critique of the church’s attitude towards the LGBTQI+ community.
A Boy Called Mary A Boy Called Mary
1986 52 mins Director: Paul Oremland
The fabulous life and times of queer writer Kris Kirk, who became one of the UK’s most influential music journalists.
Tides of Laughter Tides of Laughter
1986 49 mins Director: Paul Oremland
A female ‘end-of-the-pier’ double act find out a surprising secret about their landlady - and about each other.
Andy the Furniture Maker Andy the Furniture Maker
1986 53 mins Director: Paul Oremland
How did a cute, gay Essex boy go from oyster fishing to becoming the toast of the London arts scene?
The Ceremony The Ceremony
Thriller 2024 92 mins Director: Jack King
When night falls, two Bradford car wash workers are dragged into an escalating moral crisis.
Palestine 36 Palestine 36
Period drama 2025 120 mins Director: Annemarie Jacir
Acclaimed Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s most ambitious work is a powerful exploration of the events leading up to the Arab Revolt of 1936.
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.
Plainclothes Plainclothes
Drama 2025 97 mins Director: Carmen Emmi
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey lead a Sundance-prize winning ensemble in this knockout cruising drama from debut director Carmen Emmi.
What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?
Documentary 2005 45 mins Director: Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s second collaboration with pop band Saint Etienne traces the hidden history of East London’s Lower Lea Valley before its Olympic makeover.
Young Hearts Young Hearts
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Anthony Schatteman
A gentle and sincere story of queer love between two young teenage boys, told with warmth and humour.