Del Shores has filmed a production of his acclaimed stage play about four young Southern men grappling with their sexuality.
Southern Baptist Sissies (2013)
Imdb user:
I was simply blown away by this production. Based on a play, what the viewer is treated to here is actually a filmed performance of that play.
Southern Fried Sissies tells a tale of four friends (since early age) who all grew up together and attended the same Baptist church in Texas. The twist in this is Mark, Benny, TJ, and Andrew are all gay. Anyone who has ever attended a Baptist church in the south knows making this announcement or openly living this lifestyle is usually going to get you crucified. The play demonstrates just how difficult each of the lives of these men are. Two other characters introduced in this play are the ones whose performances simply stunned me. Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace) plays Peanut and Dale Dickey (True Blood) plays his drinking buddy Odette. Each one has a monologue toward the end of the play that is like a punch to the gut. I can count on one hand the number of films I’ve seen that made me cry. After Peanut’s monologue, I was just about in hysterics. His words rang so true.
The director (Del Shores) did a tremendous job in letting his characters expose all the “double-speak” in the bible. All of these guys are so tortured–so scared–they show how people can easily be driven crazy simply by asking simple questions.
The music in this film can be heard in just about any church on any Sunday. It sure did bring back a lot of memories for me.
WARNING: This film will offend some people. Some scenes were even uncomfortable for me to watch–and I’m gay. However, given the subject matter, I would recommend this to anyone. If it does nothing, it at least offers hope. And in this world today, we can all use that. The film is unrated but contains graphic language, brief nudity, and sexual situations.
