NZ on Screen now has One of Them online now – a great short film made in 1997 – adapted from a short story by Peter Wells.

One of Them! was one of two films (with Memory and Desire) adapted from short stories in Peter Wells’ book Dangerous Desires, (1991). It was made for TV One as a Montana Sunday drama. Set in Auckland, 1965, this film tells the story of Lemmy and Jamie, two teenage boys coming to terms with their sexuality. In the dark days before gay liberation, bullying and intimidation was rife, and while the boys flaunt their sissyness, their internalised homophobia wreaks havoc on their emotional lives – until they can admit to being ‘one of them’. 

Great to watch this again. It is amazing to think how much things have changed in New Zealand in the past 30 years.