Class struggle, gay romance and hot action collide in this amazing British film as the lives of Cal and Olivier intersect in a gritty, urban street drama. The context is a powerful and very much welcome addition to the gay and lesbian film landscape.

Pulsating with a sexual, violent energy, Shank is one of the most startling and impressive films in this year's Festival and an impressive screen debut for young director Simon Pearce and co-writer, co-producer Christian Martin. Cal (Wayne Virgo) is a sexy 18-year-old gang member who leads a life full of drugs, online sex hookups and random acts of violence. A brutal hookup with an anonymous stranger temporarily satisfies Cal’s secret gay cravings, but fails to quell his lust for his best friend, the hunky Jonno (Tom Bott). Nessa (Alice Payne) — their twisted, foul-mouthed and controlling gang leader — suspects that something is going on between the two but she can't put her finger on what and tries to split up the buddies. Cal is drifting apart from the gang as his gay self emerges, and when the gang mugs young cutie Olivier (Marc Laurent) with violent force, Cal decides to make his break official by helping Olivier escape and the violence escalates. Shank is a very real, edgy and raw British drama played out on the streets of Bristol. -- Scott Cranin