Protect Me From What I Want (2009)

Touches You

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

because it reflects, in inspired manner, emotions, not exactly a story. because it gives authenticity of a first experience and to a cultural clash. because the performances are real great. and the script - an inspired one. it is strange to write about it because it is a film about realities out of words. a kind of embroidery of nuances, suggestions and admirable images. a film about honesty. to yourself. about fear and the delicate manner to stop it. about joy and sensitivity. about basic small things. and nothing more.

The only thing lacking in this short is an appropriate soundtrack. The music behind the scenes is typical. This film deserves better.Both Elliot Tittensor (as Daz) and Naveed Choudhry (as Saleem) do an outstanding job of developing their characters' struggles in the short time they have. Daz is trying to live a double life, keeping his sexuality and profession hidden while Saleem is torn between culture and his desire. The argument can be made that Saleem could just as rightfully been Jose, Artyom, Huang, or Billy. Using Saleem quickly incorporates western assumptions about Indian culture: strong family ties, a loving and forgiving attitude, and a strong abhorrence of homosexuality. That works well for a short film. Selecting handsome actors of a similar age helps endure them and their kinship the to the audience. That works well here also. You want these two to be together.Tittensor does a beautiful job in the short time he has to show tenderness and that he does not want to rush or pressure Saleem. It is quickly obvious that he sees something in Saleem that he wants badly; a lover, not a client. And this is the man who may offer him that. Choudhry is obviously scared, but wants desperately to relax inside this coveted but unfamiliar life that he has only dreamed of. A life he is not sure he should even imagine, much less enter into.The ending is superb. Tittendor's timing is perfect while repeating one spoken word. Choudhry's facial expressions during the closing shots tell a story that could fill a reel of film.Kudos to Dominic Leclerc. He created a masterpiece. Please sir, can I have some more sir?

seductive, touching, fresh. real impressive. few images and words and a large circle of emotions. one of that short films who precise rules. and lives as skin of atmosphere. like in many other short movies, important is silence. in this case, it is result of clash between different cultures, image of sin and desire, fear and lust. extraordinary - the end. essential - science to be more than a gay film, its universal message. and, the inspired option for two good actors who does convincing roles as fruits of nuances. it is difficult comment it. because, as each short movie, it is a kind of haiku. the flavor is powerful or fiction for every viewer. but the scent remains. tender, fresh, special.

Some people have been comparing this to a modern day "My beautiful laundrette" but I don't think that's true at all. It does have some similarities. They both include interracial gay romances and the main characters have to keep it secret, but this film does stand on it's own as an effective drama, and the acting ensures that it can't be compared to anything else. Naveed Choudhry stars as Saleem who's realistically torn between his religious beliefs, family expectations and his own "disgust" with himself, while Daz played by Elliot Tittensor, in the beginning appears more confident, having accepted what he wants. Naveed plays Saleem with an edgy shyness, that never seems too over the top. Constantly on his guard, he can't help but be wary of Daz, but is drawn to him at the same time. Created by Dominc Leclerc, this is a short film in which the characters seem very thought out. Daz is definitely the more outgoing character, more self assured and willing to take chances. He's also keeping secrets too, as he juggles his mates alongside his personal life, but pushes that aside in order to help Saleem. In the film they both change and you get to see different sides of their characters. Saleem isn't as timid as he first appears and Daz isn't as happy go lucky as the viewer might think he is. The ending is open to interpretation and may leave the viewer wanting more.