Directed by Amanda Kramer • Drama • With Andrea Riseborough, Harry Melling, Demi Moore • 2022 • 95 minutes
Suze (Andrea Riseborough) and Arthur (Harry Melling) live an outwardly traditional lifestyle as the Lower East Side’s most bohemian Eisenhower-era couple. The pair’s cage is rattled when they encounter a gang of sadistic, leather-clad greasers known as The Young Gents. Suze and Arthur’s initial thrust of fear evolves into confusion of thrill and lust. This sudden exposure to flamboyant masculinity unlocks the realization that Suze is an aspiring leather daddy who mistook herself for a housewife. Meanwhile, the perpetually sensitive Arthur’s obsessive gender trouble goes sideways when Young Gent Teddy (Karl Glusman) sparks a queer desire. PLEASE BABY PLEASE presents a full spectrum of underground fetishism and seductive musical asides featuring alluring cameos by Demi Moore and Cole Escola. Visionary filmmaker Amanda Kramer pegs the hetero hellscape of the 1950s in a witty, syncopated riff that plays like a high camp emission from your wildest dreams – bathed in silk, sweat, and bisexual lighting.
Up Next in Staff Picks
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The Village House
Directed by Achal Mishra • Drama • With Soniya Jha, Mira Jha, Abhinav Jha • 2019 • 91 minutes
The astonishing debut feature from 23-year old writer/director Achal Mishra. THE VILLAGE HOUSE is a lovely, luminous and gentle portrait of a large extended Indian family over several decades.
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The Reverend
Directed by Nick Canfield • Documentary • With Vince Anderson, Questlove, Jaleel Bunton, Kyp Malone • 2022 • 86 minutes
The Reverend is a raucous concert film as well as an intimate portrait of Reverend Vince Anderson's spiritual and musical journey. After coming to New York in the 90's to enter...
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Peel (Jane Campion)
Directed by Jane Campion • Drama • 1982 • 9 minutes
On a hot Australian summer's day, a recalcitrant, freckled, red-headed family of three go on a Sunday drive in the country. Their outing results in an intrigue of awesome belligerence.
Cannes, Golden Palm for Best Short Film
