Remembering The Modern Gay Film Classic ‘Boy Culture’

Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the acclaimed gay romantic drama Boy Culture, the movie, hit the film festival circuit.

Synopsis of the film from Matt Rettenmund, who penned the best-selling novel the movie is based on:

“Boy Culture” follows X, a snarky sex worker who is laying out his complicated love and love-for-sale lives via a series of dryly rendered, erotic, frequently funny confessions.

In spite of his day job, he finds himself incapable of having sex for pleasure, even when he develops a crush on his straight-ish roommate Andrew, all the while fending off the advances of their other roommate, barely legal Joey, a twink X is housing out of whatever goodness remains in his cold, cold heart.

X’s greatest challenge arrives via a 79-year-old client, Gregory, who announces he plans to manipulate him into falling in love, regaling him with stories of queer desire in the ‘30s.

Check out the original movie trailer:

After making its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2006, Boy Culture played every major gay film fest garnering strong reviews. The movie was released by TLA in 2007.

“A cerebral blend of wit, insight, and raunch self-awareness” – New York Times

“Incisive writing and acting” – Los Angeles Times

“Beautifully nuanced and three-dimensional” – San Francisco Chronicle

“A refreshingly real, homoerotic adventure” – Newsblaze

Matt recently spoke with the movie’s cast and creative team to create a fascinating oral history of the movie.

In  the latest episode of his Boy Culture podcast, Matt chats with cast member Darryl Stephens on the genesis and impact of the film 20 years later.

You can stream Boy Culture now on Dekkoo (7-day free trial subscription available).