exploding oedipus, 2000

SYNOPSIS
The struggles of a young man struck by bohemia, in pain, curious, yearning, sexually, psychologically coming to know himself. It is a long form narrative shot in 35 about the narrative of self. Screened at Seattle International Film Festival, 2000. Mill Valley. 2000 Portland G&L, 2002 Festival, Los Angeles, G&L Festival, San Francisco


REVIEWS
....In his directorial debut, Marc Lafia weaves a rich visual fabric to create an emotional texture that is sensual and sophisticated. Provocative cinematography, and a poetic juxtaposition of flashback sequences create an unsparing portrait of a young man breaking free. Exploding Oedipusis a story of transgression, exposing the complex relationships between memory, fear, and desire.
2002 Portland LGBT Film Festival

...An intriguing addition to the festival, since Marc Lafia’s film isn’t really queer. Lafia is interested in the twinned structures of love and betrayal... Joplin Wu’s cinematography is nothing less than mesmerizing, as is Lafia’s poetic script. Exploding Oedipus deserves a wider distribution. (SS)
WW Picks

...First-time San Francisco director Marc Lafia has created a beautiful and mysterious film that manages to be both artistic and accessible as it takes us deep into the hero’s psyche in search of answers that may or may not be there to find. And a sensitive performance by Ramsay makes us care.
26 San Francisco International lesbian&Gay Film Festival

An exquisite, ballsy first feature by Marc Lafia, EXPLODING OEDIPUS bursts upon the screen with the dark and ominous beauty of an inky-black sunspot... The film’s rambling plot and cryptic psychological through line are reminiscent of Mike Leigh’s NAKED, but Lafia’s San Francisco is distinctly new: a dreamy, atmospheric mindscape in which the odd ray of sunlight only enhances Hilbert’s isolation in this multilayered, sexy feature.
2002 outfest

'A slow burning ember...implosive and achingly smart.'
David Fincher
''Fight Club', 'Seven'