När alla vet (1995)

16-year-old Sebastian (Hampus Björck) has good parents and a great circle of friends, is doing well in school, has good looks, and leads a happy life -- or at least that is what everyone thinks. Secretly, he has been brooding for some time over the fact that he is in love with his best friend, hunky Ulf (Nicolai Cleve Broch). One evening, after some playful frolicking around with Ulf, Sebastian kisses Ulf, who does not like it. Being sexually rejected in this way throws Sebastian into an even deeper depression about his sexuality. He refuses to discuss it with his parents and only after a long talk with a female friend of his, who is also in love with Ulf and guesses correctly what Sebastian's problem could be, he opens up to his family and friends, only to find that it is not problematic to them. Even the coming out to Ulf, which he anticipated to be very painful, turns out to be not so bad and takes a comical turn when Ulf admits to having had a homosexual experience himself some time ago. In the end, basically nothing has changed, except that Sebastian no longer has to live a secret life and can concentrate on being happy, having fun with his friends, and finding a real boyfriend.

Film critics usually dismiss "När alla vet" as escapist gay youth fare that does not address any deeper issues. However, the film is about the coming out process, which is not exactly easy. Hansi Mandoki, Petter Vennerød, and Svend Wam wrote the screenplay derived from Per Knutsen's novel "Svart Cayal". Svend Wam directed. The English title is "Sebastian". In Norwegian and Swedish with English subtitles.

Harry & Max (2004)

Harry (Bryce Johnson) is a 23 year-old former boy band idol who is helping his younger brother Max (Cole Williams), aged 16, follow in his footsteps. Although Harry is at the end of his career, Max is just starting his. Harry seems to be primarily heterosexual, whereas Max is primarily gay and has come to terms with his sexuality. They detour on their way to a Japanese concert tour for a long-promised camping adventure. Their trip begins on a note of camaraderie but quickly turns serious as old wounds resurface, forcing them to come to terms with their dysfunctional past: Harry's drinking problems, his disconnection from the family, and most of all his relationship with Max and the emotional dependency that keeps them from moving into adulthood. During the camping trip, matters are further complicated by the resumption of an incestuous affair between the brothers. The fallout from this further muddles both their lives, as they attempt to understand their feelings for each other and to protect each other in a world in which everybody, including their own mother (Michelle Phillips), seems to want to take advantage of them for financial gain.

This movie doesn't have very good production values. The camera is jerky, the sound is uneven, and the acting is not the best. Homosexual incestuous romantic scenes may make you cringe. Michael Tubbs composed the music, and Christopher Munch wrote the screenplay and directed.