Reeling 2010: Amphetamine

Visually stunning and emotionally potent, Amphetamine is an electric rush of beautiful men, bad boys and bright lights. Kinetic and vivid, this film tells the story of Kafka, a smooth-bodied swim instructor struggling to stay ahead in Hong Kong. His mother’s health is failing, his father is nowhere to be found, his relationship with his girlfriend is tumultuous, and the only thing he shares with his brother is a powerful affinity for amphetamines. Ricocheting through the neon metropolis on his brilliant yellow motorcycle, Kafka repeatedly encounters Daniel, a rich, successful, and gorgeous businessman who vigorously pursues him. Attracted to the danger and power they see in each other, Kafka and Daniel form a wild friendship. Their urban adventures draw them closer to one another, and their relationship begins to form a tentative, yet super-charged, romance. As with drugs, Kafka becomes addicted to Daniel’s love, which hurtles him into a spiral of sexual confliction and fury. This sensual, adrenaline-filled drama goes beyond the traditional definitions of love and sexuality, and explores what happens when the desires of your heart don’t match those of your body. —Zachary Togami for Reeling Amphetamine Scud (Hong Kong, 2010, 97 min.) In Cantonese, with English subtitles Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, is presenting 54 programs over 10 days from November 4-13, 2010. Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Regular Screenings: $10 ($8 members), Matinee Screenings (before 5:00 pm): $8 ($6 members).

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