‘Judas Kiss’ Behind the Scenes

LOS ANGELES – Get a look behind the scenes at the genre-busting, time-bending 2011 film festival favorite, “Judas Kiss,” the best-selling movie critics cite as taking gay cinema in a bold direction.

Award-winning documentarian Matt Bucy spent weeks on the set shooting footage for “Judas Kiss: Behind the Scenes,” which chronicles the production of the acclaimed film, the first feature by director J.T. Tepnapa and writer-producer Carlos Pedraza via their production company, Blue Seraph Productions.

All four episodes of the series are available now on the Judas Kiss channel on YouTube. The film itself, distributed by Wolfe Video, is at the top of the sales charts in its category on Amazon in the United States and in Europe. Here’s the first episode:

WATCH THE ENTIRE ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ SERIES

The first episode of the Web series introduces the film’s stars Charlie David (star of Logo TV’s “Bump,” the TV series “Dante’s Cove,” and the feature, “Mulligans”), Richard Harmon (of AMC’s “The Killing”), Sean Paul Lockhart (aka adult star Brent Corrigan) and Belgian TV and pop star Timo Descamps, as well as director Tepnapa and writer Pedraza.

Critics have lauded the film’s high production values, strong ensemble cast, and its ambitious effort to meld drama, science fiction and magical realism; the film has won multiple awards at film festivals for its screenplay and acting. “Judas Kiss” tells the story of a washed-up filmmaker (David) who returns to his alma mater, where he gets the chance to reshape his destiny.

The four episodes:

• Introduce the principal cast and crew, especially the hot young stars getting so much recent press around the United States.

• Document the creative tension at the heart of the partnership between director Tepnapa and writer-producer Pedraza.

• Explore actor Sean Paul Lockhart’s past as controversial adult film star Brent Corrigan, and what it means for his new career as a mainstream actor.

• Offer a sneak peek at the Bollywood-style end musical number, “If I Fall,” performed by the Judas Kiss cast and crew, joined by the song’s composer, American Idol alumnus Brian Lam.

SELECTED REVIEWS AND AWARDS

• “Brilliant production. Excellent cast.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• “Incredibly original and extraordinarily well-made. Transcends all genres, and features solid performances from really charismatic actors.” (Examiner.com)
• “A deep, insightful film that explores the shadows we run from as gay men and the toxic and self-destructive decisions that can change our lives.” (Edge Network)
• “A metaphysical rumination on lost opportunities, Judas Kiss uses magical realism to convey its message. To that end, the film is pure joy.” (Men of Color blog)
• Best Debut Feature (Q Cinema, Fort Worth, Texas)
• Best Screenplay (Q Films, Long Beach, Calif.)
• First Place, Alternative Spirit (Rhode Island International Film Festival)
• Best Screenwriting (FilmOut San Diego)
• Honorable Mention, Youth Jury for Best Picture (Rhode Island Film Festival)
• Rising Star Award, Sean Lockhart (Q Fest, Philadelphia)
• Official Selection, Frameline 35 (San Francisco)
• Official Selection, NewFest (New York City)
• Official Selection at dozens of other film festivals worldwide

WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION “Judas Kiss” is distributed in North America by Wolfe Video, in the United Kingdom by TLA Releasing, in German-speaking Europe by Pro-Fun Media, and in French-speaking Europe by BQHL.

Blue Seraph Productions is a Los Angeles company headed by Tepnapa and Seattle-based Pedraza. Their previous work on the Web’s longest-running series, Star Trek: New Voyages and Star Trek: Hidden Frontier has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Variety, Rolling Stone, the Today Show, MSNBC, and other international news outlets.

Tepnapa’s short films include the multiple award-winning parody of 1950s teen health films, “Masturbation: Putting the Fun Into Self-Loving,” the comedy “Drag Queen Heist” and the drama about homeless youth, “Begging for Change.”

 

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