The next day, both men reveal they are in committed partnerships. Mark ( Emmerdale Farm’s Lincoln) is the doe-eyed newbie who plays for the Bs and, on a night out, winds up in bed with the strapping Warren (King), a star player for the As. But, with its padded soap opera pacing – the narrative takes 134 minutes to resolve – the film’s commercial appeal seems less assured. Further domestic screenings are likely if Carter – whose credits to date are mostly for compositing and visual effects – extends his already impressive multitasking to a national tour with talent, especially for regional LGBTQ+ festivals and events. With funding from a Kickstarter campaign, and bolstered by hometown cast and crew, In From The Side should enjoy a welcoming audience at it world premiere at London’s Flare. Everything is amped up to 11 – with varying degrees of success. Carter focuses mostly on the B squad, and the explosive fallout when one of their own (Alexander Lincoln) crosses a clear boundary in hooking up with a hunk from the As (Alexander King).įor a low-budget debut the film strives for surprisingly high melodrama. The South London Stags is a gay rugby club divided into two teams: squad A and squad B. As in rugby, romance is played best when head and heart are both in the game, careful not to let one’s independent actions negatively impact the team, or, in this instance, the gay rugby community. There is a neat analogy between sport and romance at the core of director Matt Carter’s feature debut (which he also co-wrote, co-produced, shot, edited and scored).

Covert glances