Stranger In Us, The

Stranger In Us, The

In this poetic debut feature, director Scott Boswell explores the pleasures and perils of losing and regaining oneself through the journey of a young, gay man in the wake of a traumatic breakup.

Small-town Anthony (Raphael Barker, Shortbus) follows his heart to San Fransisco, eager for domestic bliss with new boyfriend, Stephen. Soon Anthony faces a waking nightmare as their volatile relationship reaches the breaking point. Isolated and financially strained, Anthony takes to the nighttime city streets, where he meets a strange and alluring cast of hook-ups and wanderers. When he befriends a precocious, young street hustler named Gavin, Anthony finds the human contact he craves, yet his inner struggles continue to engulf him.

Featuring a verite-style portrayal of San Fransisco's grittier side, The Stranger in Us grips viewers with its heartfelt performances and intimate perspective. Variety calls this film festival hit "a modest by affecting drama" that's "engrossing by leisurely degrees."