Steam - Mah, Oh Mah! It's
Hot in Here ...
by Tallulah Givehead
"Steam"
is a slow, sensuous meandering journey both in its
cinematic pacing and in the lead character,
Francesco's, coming out, coming home story. For a
movie about hamam's - Turkish steam baths - there's
a paucity of nudity!
Francesco (played by the GEORGEOUS
Alessandro Gassman) and his wife Marta (
Francesca D'Aloja) run a successful interior
design firm in Rome. But their marriage is on the
rocks, with Marta, feeling neglected, secretly
carrying on an affair with their mutual business
partner, Paulo.
Francesco receives notification that a forgotten
aunt has died and left him some property in
Istanbul. He decides to go to Turkey to sell the
buildings. But upon his arrival in Turkey, Francesco
discovers that what he has inherited is a
dilapidated Hamam, a traditional Turkish bath,
operated by Osman, his wife and their beautiful son
Mehmet and daughter Fusun. Enchanted with the
ancient sensuality of the place, and against his
lawyer's advice, he decides to remain and restore
the ruined hamam to its original splendor.
Francesco's intensity begins to fade and he becomes
friendlier as he fits into the rhythm of the ancient
city. His taut facade fades to reveal to his
homosexuality as he discovers his attraction and
love in the person of Mehmet (Mehmet
Gunsur - He's such a wonderful boy!). When his
wife arrives to admit her infidelity, she finds in
Francesco a totally changed man. The twist being
that when she's about to confront him about her
infidelity, she finds him doin' the nasty with
Mehmet and becomes bitter, incensed and a righteous
bitch.
Lushly photographed, the film successfully creates
an exotic atmosphere which nurtures freedom and
release. A sensuously delicious film.
Tallulah Givehead is
a Fabulous drag queen living in Portland, Oregon
(Lord only knows why!) writing reviews of gay film
by day and tearing up the stage by night. You
can read her reviews here as well as at her blog,
QUEER VUE MIRROR.
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