Rotting in the Sun (2023)
Out filmmaker Sebastián Silva’s 2023 film ROTTING IN THE SUN.
Today’s post was written by author/critic Gary Kramer (@garyemkramer on Instagram) - Be sure to follow his Instagram account for fantastic reviews, as well as information on new queer film releases!
ROTTING IN THE SUN
2023. Mexico/USA.
Director: Sebastián Silva
Screenplay: Sebastián Silva & Pedro Peirano
Starring: Sebastián Silva, Jordan Firstman & Catalina Saavedra
Out gay filmmaker Sebastián Silva directed, co-wrote, and plays himself in the spiky black comedy, ROTTING IN THE SUN. Feeling hopeless—his reading “The Trouble with Being Born” doesn’t help—Sebastián has been struggling artistically and even contemplating taking his own life. After his latest paintings are ruined by his housekeeper, Vero (Catalina Saavedra from Silva’s “The Maid”) he goes off to Zicatela to decompress. However, while out for a swim at the beach—there are copious nude men, many having sex—he meets Instagrammer Jordan Firstman (Jordan Firstman). Jordan insists on collaborating on a project together, but Silva is hesitant until a pitch meeting with HBO encourages this partnership. Seeing this as an opportunity to get out of his creative funk, Sebastián invites Jordan to come to his studio in Mexico City. However, when Jordan arrives, Sebastián isn’t there. As Jordan tries to communicate with Vero about Sebastián’s whereabouts, she claims to know nothing, but Jordan is suspicious, and insists something is wrong and sets out to solve the mystery.
ROTTING IN THE SUN is quite clever in its plotting and the performers all lean into their abrasive characters in ways that are funny because of how they frustrate others—the tensions between Vero and Jordan are especially strong as is Vero’s fear about losing her job. Silva is shrewdly commenting on how folks present themselves—in life and on social media—and the decay that causes. His film is nasty, sexy, and comic.
ROTTING IN THE SUN is streaming on Mubi (Canada/Mexico/UK/USA) and available for rent/purchase on AppleTV.
