In Greek mythology, Ganymede was a young, mortal prince so beautiful that the gods brought him to Mount Olympus, where a particularly infatuated Zeus selected him as his “immortal cupbearer.”
Sure, Zeus, yeah… you were only keeping the twinky prince around to pour you wine. If you say so!
Anyway, since those ancient times, Ganymede has lingered in the culture as a symbol of homosexuality, and particularly male-male desire, but he hasn’t always been depicted positively.
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In the Southern Gothic horror Ganymede—from filmmakers and IRL partners Colby Holt & Sam Probst—the mythical character is reimagined as a fearsome demon, one that uses its dark powers to overcome others with homosexual urges.
At least, that’s what high-schooler Lee Fletcher (Jordan Doww) keeps having drilled into his head by the ultra-conservative Pastor Royer (Anchorman and The Office‘s David Koechner, in a rare dark and dramatic role).
Lee is a star athlete and all-around “golden child,” following in the footsteps of his overbearing father Big Lee (Stranger Things‘ Joe Chrest) who, alongside his dutiful wife Floy (Teen Witch‘s Robyn Lively), has raised his son in a strict Baptist home.
So, when Lee starts to crush on his openly gay classmate Kyle (Scream Queens‘ Pablo Castelblanco), his parents quickly catch on, inviting Pastor Royer to their home for his version of “divine intervention,” which appears to include electro-shock therapy and praying the gay away.
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Only, in this case, “the gay” might just be a literal demon, one that’s eerie and red that lurks in the shadows—and literally hides in the closet—threatening to ensnare Lee’s soul and destroy his family in the process.
Now, seeing how Ganymede is written and directed by gay filmmakers, we can’t imagine it’s quite so straight forward: No way would they make a movie where homosexuality is actually demonic, right? And *spoiler—maybe???* but one only need look at the film’s poster to realize there’s probably more going on with Koechner’s Pastor Royer than meets the eye…
“The idea for this story took form over four years ago and has evolved over time as we’ve crossed paths with fellow collaborators and creatives,” co-director Probst wrote on social media last year. “Ganymede has many of Colby [Holt] and I’s personal elements peppered throughout the characters and spaces, but it also has an application of the current society we live in ever-present as well.”
The film first premiered last September at Chicago’s Reeling International Film Festival, where it took home the Audience Award, followed by the Chattanooga Film Festival, where it won the Pride Award.
After scaring festival audiences across the country, Ganymede is finally getting a digital release courtesy of VMI Releasing on August 6. Check out the official trailer for the film below:
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GANYMEDE, Never seen the movie but seen the trailer.
Looks far fetched from what I seen. It wouldn’t make me want to rent or buy the movie.
The only best bit of the trailer was the two guys getting it on in the bedroom.
BUT THAT’S MY OPINION !!!