“Young love is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not precious.”- Eoin Colfer
‘Turn It Around’ is a Dutch short film helmed by Niels Bourgonje, an award-winning short film and commercial director who has directed several films such as ‘Buddy’ and ‘Swipe’.
The film bagged several awards including Best Short Film Male at the FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival 2018 and Best Men’s International Short Film at the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2018.
It follows Bram, a closeted teenager who goes to a house party and meets a cute boy. What happens when Bram and his crush participate in a game of Spin the Bottle?
The film starts with fifteen-year-old Bram (Valentijn Avé) anxiously pacing back and forth in front of his wardrobe as he tries on the perfect clothes to wear for a very special night. After trying several tops, he settles for a red checkered button-down and immediately heads outside to ride his bike to his friend’s house party.
The house is loud and brimming with partying teens and bottomless beers when Bram arrives. He greets his friends, Kevin (Max Berserik) and Hugo (Timo Dries), who immediately ask him about girls. Bram makes a non-commital answer. Hugo tells him to check out Denise (Faye Gunther), the hottest girl at the party and he spots her in the crowd of dancing people. But right behind Denise is a cute guy dancing wildly to the music and for a brief moment, it seems like everything goes in slow motion and sound ceases to exist.
Bram asks Hugo about the guy which initially confuses Hugo. Hugo recognizes who Bram is referring and immediately calls the guy named Floor or Florian (Tonko Bossen) over. Bram consciously fixes his hair as Florian saunters to them. Hugo introduces him as his awesome cousin from Amsterdam. The two shake hands and Bram is smitten.
Moments later, Bram spots a lonesome Florian sitting on the couch. Bram approaches him and sits beside him. Their knees touch but silence envelopes them. A nervous Bram awkwardly inches his hand closer to Florian’s hand resting on top of his own thigh but gets startled by a shout from someone behind them who hollered a homophobic slur to somebody else. That effectively scares Bram who excuses himself to go to the comfort room.
Once inside the restroom, Bram washes his face to recover from the unnerving encounter and stares at his reflection in the mirror. After gathering himself, he heads out and notices Florian exiting the house. Bram follows him outside and engages Florian in a small talk.
Florian tells him that it was too crowded which was why he ended up in the garden. The two exchange jokes and Bram asks what Florian was visiting for. Florian answers that he’s going to a concert with Hugo the next day and asks if Bram is going. Bram tells him he didn’t get to secure a ticket which Florian says was too bad. Florian asks him if he wants to see the lineup of the performers, gets closer to him, and shows him his phone. They steal glances from each other until the air between them becomes charged with tension. They break away and Bram asks if Florian wants a beer.
