Who fancies celebrating Valentine’s day with a trip to Venice?
Okay, we’re not actually about to present you with roses and a first class flight for a holiday, but we do have a fantastic LGBTQIA+ movie to discuss and it’s definitely one to watch if you’re in the mood for some romance and a steamy night in!
Written and directed by Steve Balderson, “Love Sex Venice” is a ground-breaking LGBTQ+ romance film that promises to redefine cinematic portrayals of sexuality and human connection with an evocative and deeply emotional narrative. As chronicled in his erotic memoir “Year of the Whore” (Punk Hostage Press), the film draws inspiration from Steve’s personal experience and navigates the tough world of not just love itself, but the intimate experiences and rollercoaster of self discover that come along with it.
Sex Love Venice is Balderson’s twentieth film and stands out in the landscape of LGBTQ+ cinema by focusing on love and connection rather than trauma. “I think we’re so accustomed to watching abusive queer stories like those told in Brokeback Mountain and Call Me by My Name,” says the filmmaker. “I really wanted to showcase something else.”
Taking centre stage, at the heart of the film if you will, is Michael (played by Daniel Bateman), a man yearning for meaningful and lasting love, something beyond the short-lived nature of the modern hook-up culture that we all know too well. His journey takes him to beautiful city of Venice, where he stumbles upon Marco (played by Alexander Ananasso), a soulful and enigmatic local who challenges Michael’s perceptions of intimacy. Marco believes in the transformative power of cultivating desire, maintaining that the things we long for most are infinitely sweeter when savoured with patience and intention.
Now as the title suggests, we will see the pair exploring intimacy in a number of ways, a big part of this being through sexual connection. Balderson initially struggled with how to truly portray this; “It was a daunting because the real-life experience was so sensorial. Once I figured out how to depict the romantic encounter, the whole idea for the film clicked into place.” It’s invigorating to know that it wasn’t a simple case of throwing two handsome men on a bed and being done with it.
We’d definitely not recommend watching this with your parents, it’s a glass steaming, pant tightening and adult thought provoking moment in cinema.
Daniel Bateman, who has previously appeared in Wicked on Broadway, was a perfect fit for the role of Michael and we’re pleased to say we got to have a little chat with him.
Introductions first, in 12 words or less, let our readers know a little about you.
I’m Daniel Bateman, I live in LA, starring in “Sex Love Venice!”
How was your experience being the lead in a fabulous project like Sex Love Venice?
This experience led me to Europe for the very first time and that was so special! Getting to lead a film can be such a tough pursuit and I don’t think people outside of the entertainment business really understand how much goes into it. The constant video auditions ( almost entirely self-taped videos in the current virtual world with no feedback) and you don’t often get to form relationships the same way, especially without already being famous or a certain name. It is tough to break through the barriers in the industry with all the gatekeeping. I am so grateful to be given the platform to shine in ways that I always knew I could. This has allowed me to do that. I knew in my heart that I had to play this role and I was persistent. Once I met with Steve Balderson, our wonderful director and writer, we had such long and deep conversations . The storyline is based on his actual experiences and I didn’t take that lightly! There’s a greater sense of responsibility that comes from approaching work which comes from real elements in someone’s life . Steve ultimately allowed me to make the role of Michael my own, while still drawing from certain aspects from his own journey. He is a great director that lets you play with the scenes authentically and understands the powerful moments you can capture from that collaboration. I am so grateful to Steve for trusting me to do this and deliver such a tender dive into this character.
Did you find yourself resonating with Michael’s story while filming?
Yes, from many different angles! I feel like I was trying to find what my exact love language was, and I feel that Intimacy can be a very subjective word that can be used either casually or with greater meaning. I could completely relate to that journey of finding my own personal sense of intimacy along all the heartbreak from romantic pursuits in my life. I have always been someone who is immensely sensitive and in touch with my emotions while longing for genuine connections in my life. I knew exactly what the rollercoaster could feel like by not knowing quite how to sort through that part of myself in a current culture that doesn’t always celebrate longer-term feelings. While filming, I had to revisit the romance and intimacy from my personal past experience and give myself the permission to face those triggers that would inevitably come from that. I related to the beauty in having that sensitivity as a superpower….accepting that passionate part of myself.
What is the biggest difference between yourself and the character?
I think I can be a lot more outspoken and social than I feel Michael is initially. I also lead with humor a lot as I love to laugh and make others laugh! However, sometimes I tend to keep how I might actually be feeling to myself and avoid showing if I’ve been hurt in certain situations. I feel like Michael can’t do that as easily. He can’t “disguise” and compartmentalize disappointments as well. You can always see what he’s thinking and feeling in his eyes and on his face, whereas with me it might take a little bit more intuition.
How was the chemistry with Alexander on set?
It was lovely! I didn’t meet Alexander in person until we both were in Venice for the shoot. We got along so very well and bonded a lot through our humour especially. I feel we both allowed ourselves to surrender to the wild experience of it all. We wanted to bring so much truth into our work and we found so many ways to form connection while supporting each other through all of this. There was such a genuine respect and care not only for our craft, but for each other as people. We are still great friends, and when you’ve done something like this with someone…we will always be connected from this journey. It’s just such a vulnerable process to share.
That’s the great thing about film; it is there forever.
Without too much of a spoiler, do you have a favourite moment from the movie?
There’s a moment in the movie where my character, Michael, verbalizes how he’s feeling in such a vulnerable and transparent way. It takes place in this magical bookstore, and it’s such a transitional moment in the film where he is learning to speak up for himself and his feelings. I think it’s a really beautiful scene with Alex (Marco) and we had to get that scene done in just a few takes on a time crunch! It played out very naturally for us. I think it’s really inspiring to see how sexy it can be when we are genuinely honest with how we feel. There’s an intensity within that, being so in sync with someone and knowing you’re putting everything from within you out there.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the story?
I hope audiences take away a sense of compassion for those around them . There is so much happening in the world and life can feel like such a shot in the dark sometimes. I feel it’s so important to just take a moment to breathe, to be present and find the joy in simple things around you. I would hope for people to feel they can accept themselves in their own bodies as they are , and that they are absolutely enough. We are so worthy and deserving of love and connection in our lives if we genuinely just open ourselves up to the possibility of it.
Our bodies can be a vessel for the expression of what our souls are feeling. The motivation to feel more, to desire more and to LOVE more!
Finally, could you offer any advice to young queer men on their own journeys through romance and sex?
I would say that first and foremost, you are not alone in the frustrations you might have in that area of your life. For younger queer men, we were dealt such a tricky hand in having the virtual aspect of everything suddenly thrown our way in these pursuits. There was no manual in school how to use social media in a healthy and productive way.
So, I would say, my advice is to be who you are unapologetically. Whether that’s online, in person or whatever it may be. Just being that same authentic version of yourself is so healthy for the minds and souls of not only ourselves, but for those we are connecting with. If we all only present a very curated version of ourselves, are we ever really experiencing something unconditional? Is the adoration just for the “idea” of ourselves? There is nothing more powerful than feeling seen and desired as YOU.
Through intimacy, through friendships…find simple things about each other to love and cherish those little things are pieces of joy we take with us wherever we go. Remember that we are all humans behind our phones, capable of whatever connections we crave….and that, is sexy.
It’s very clear that Daniel had an amazing time being involved with Sex Love Venice and that to us screams that audiences are going to enjoy it a lot too.
Now we can sense that you’re starting to feel a bit hot under the collar, so just to edge you a little more, we think it’s time to watch the NSFW trailer.
Sex Love Venice, will debut in select theatres on Friday, February 14th, and will also be available for streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and various cable platforms – so there’s plenty of ways to embrace it.
Enjoy the movie and we’ll meet you in the shower to cool off!
