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Blueprint

Streaming

More Info

Duration: 7 days

$3.99

When new special editions or price reductions are announced.

Synopsis

Opposites do indeed attract for two New York African-American college students in this gay romance from first time feature director Kirk Shannon-Butts that's as unpredictable as it is unlikely.

Review

While waiting to meet a schoolmate at a Harlem coffeehouse, strait-laced Los Angeles transplant Keith finds himself drawn into a conversation about hip-hop's merits (or lack there-of) with an outgoing street smart urbanite named Nathan. At first uncertain of Nathan's motives (Is he flirting? Is this a con?), Keith initially responds with arrogance and bitchy disrespect before giving in to curiosity and attraction. The two set out on a motorcycle road trip out of the city and into the woods, where their romance is enabled and complicated by some pot smoking, a nude swim, yet more arguments and at least one surprise arrival. With sublime, fresh storytelling and supremely drawn young African-American characters, Blueprint establishes Shannon-Butts as a talent to watch. Having already been compared to such modern classics as Old Joy and Happy Together, Blueprint lays out a type of queer relationship that's rarely depicted in film, all with an intricately designed narrative written with precocious intelligence and spiced by conflict and verbal sparring.

-- Lawrence Ferber

Product Format Information

Streaming : $3.99

Keywords

African-American/People of Color, Friendship, Gay Male, Gay/Lesbian, Urban Lifestyle

Genres

Drama

Customer Reviews

The Attraction

Amos Lassen wrote on 02/06/2011:

“Blueprint”
The Attraction
Amos Lassen
One thing that has been obviously missing from the catalog of gay films is a positive movie with African American role models. Kirk Shannon-Butts has remedied that with “Blueprint”, a feature that will surprise you throughout. We see how opposites attract as we meet two college students who become involved in a gay romance.
We first meet Keith as he waits in a Harlem coffeehouse. He is from Los Angeles and he is soon involved in a conversation about hip-hop music with another guy, Nathan. He is not sure if Nathan is sending out vibes and so Keith behaves with an edge of arrogance. Before long he is drawn to Nathan and his attraction and curiosity about the guy pull him in. They become friends and take a motorcycle road trip and when they leave the city and head for the woods, their romance blossoms. However, after a nude swim and a few tokes on grass, an argument leads to another and another and it seems that any chance at a relationship is threatened.
What a refreshing surprise. Shannon-Butts gives us a beautiful story with fresh talent and a wholesome look at the African American gay culture. The script is intelligent; the story is literate and the actors are first rate. I have had this film for some time but never knew where to post a review of it. Now you can see it at TLAgay.com. Keep your eyes on Shannon-Butts—he is off to a great start and I am sure we will be hearing a great deal more both from and about him.