The Rescue tells the story of Miguel, who decides to go looking for a new mate at the boyfriend pound (aka the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Boyfriends, or SPCB).  Jasmine, the matron of the pound, takes Miguel on a tour of the potential boyfriends, a wide selection ranging from twinks to bears, gym bunnies, drag divas and everything in between. All of them are hoping to be picked because sadly, if they don't find a placement within a week, there is no other option but to put them down.  Will Miguel find true love at the pound?  Who will he rescue?

 

With an incredible cast and crew of 40 people and a runtime of 20 minutes, The Rescue has been my most ambitious project to date. The inspiration for the project came while I was volunteering with Wonder Dog Rescue, a dog rescue group in the city.  I wanted to explore the experience of what it would be like to go through rescue, with one's life hanging in the balance. The production was a whirlwind three days of shooting in January 2011.  We were lucky enough to film the pound scenes at Wag Hotel, a canine hotel in San Francisco, which was the perfect setting for the SPCB and brings great authenticity to the film.

 

I'm so proud of all the amazing local talent who came together bring this film to life, and grateful to the producers Gwynn Villegas and Donald Emmerich for making it a reality.  It was an absolute blast. 

 

You can take a look some great behind the scenes shots here: photos.philippegosselin.com/TheRescue  

 

...and visit the film's official Facebook page by following this link: www.TheRescueFilm.com

Written and Directed by Philippe Gosselin

 

Produced by Gwynn Villegas and Donald Emmerich

 

Cinematography by Justin Barker

 

Original score by Doug Hilsinger

Starring:

Javier Galitó-Cava as Miguel

Michael J. Esparza as Jonas

Peter Giovanni as Brandon & Gwynn Villegas as The Man

Micah Blanc as Carlos & Philippe Gosselin as Adam

and introducing Cynthia Seats as Jasmine

 

Pound boys:

Leo - Kyle Morton

Bear-Otter mix - Steven Satyricon

Gym Bunny - Brett Waxdeck

Pig Bottom - Michael Soldier

Twink #1 - Nick Vasquez

Twink #2 - Dean Ignacio

Papa Bear - Rusty McMann

Mama Bear - Scot Free

Pup - Brian Maier

Howler - Artist Malcolm Drake

Drag Diva - Sue Casa

Bull-Dyke - Naomi Quinones

Show Queen - Richie Lillard

Radical Faeries - Kai BlueAngel & Origynal Sinnerjee

Muscle Mary - Matthew Vierling

Johnny Backflipper - Skylar Wilson

Couple seeking third - Mark T. Miller & Donald Emmerich

 

Park extras:

Darren Bondy, David Ruyle, Veronika Cauley, Michael Solomita, Eric Nielson, Athena

Skateboarder - Don’Avonne Leak

Rollerblader - Naomi Quinones

 

Crew:

Director of Photography - Justin Barker

Editor - Philippe Gosselin

Sound - Christine Dumke

Makeup Artist - Krysti Lozinski

Art Direction - Shane Grogg

Choreographer - Peter Giovanni

Production Coordinator - Mary Hansell

Production Assistants - Michael J. Esparza, Michael Solomita and Olivia Lua

Super Production Assistant - Naomi Quinones

Set Photographers - Tom Schmidt and Eric Nielson

Post Color Grading - Allen Price

Sound Editing & Design - Andrew Wickens

 

Original score composed and performed by Doug Hilsinger

 

Special Thanks:

Marilla Stoddard

Wag Hotel

New Conservatory Theatre Center

Michael Solomita

Jeff Ford

Olivia Lua

Mom and Dad

Our wonderful cast and crew!


Filmed on location in San Francisco

Frameline35, the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival*

Screening with eCupid

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011, 4pm, Castro Theater--World Premiere

 

InDPanda International Short Film Festival, Hong Kong

Sunday, August 14th, 2011, 7:45pm, Broadway Cinematheque

Sunday, August 20th, 2011, 7:50pm, Broadway Cinematheque

 

Oakland Pride Celebration Benefit, Oakland, CA

Thursday, August 11th, 2011, 7pm

Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers 3rd Floor

 

Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival

Screening in Bedfellows: Boys Shorts

Saturday, September 17th at 2:30pm, Tower Theater

 

Skeive Filmer, The Oslo Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Screening in Boys Shorts

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011, 
Cinemateket @ Filmens Hus

 

Savannah Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Georgia

Screening in ShortsFest

Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 2:30pm, Jepson Center for the Arts

 

Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Screening in Where the Boys Are

Monday, October 10th, 2011 at 7:15pm, Guild Cinema

 

Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival*

Screening with Morgan, Opening night film

Thursday, October 13th at 7:30pm, Crest Theater

 

Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival*

Screening in Boys Shorts

Sunday, October 16th at 4pm, Egyptian Theater

 

Image+Nation, the Montreal LGBT Film Festival

Screening in Boy’s Life

Friday, October 26th, 2011 at 7pm, J.A. de Seve

Goldenwoofs International Bear Film Festival, Adelaide, Australia

Competition runner up!

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

 

Out in the Desert: The Tucson LGBT Film Festival, Arizona

Screening in Program 6: Boyfriends

Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 6:30pm, the Screening Room

Sponsored by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona

*Audience Award for Best Comedy Short Film*

 

SugarBear Weekend, Montreal

Screening with Boystown

Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 7:30pm, Auditorium des Archives Nationales

 

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, India

Screening with Eating Out: Drama Camp

Friday, May 25th, 2012 at 11:00pm, Cinemax Versova Screen 1

 

Vermont Bear Film Festival

August 17th - 18th, 2012

At the Barnhouse in Guilford, VT

 

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Screening in Men Seeking Men

Multiple screenings, August 10th - 17th, 2012, The Carolina Theatre

 

Spokane GLBT Film Festival, Washington

Sunday, November 4th, 2012 at 1pm, Riverpoint EWU Auditorium