Queerguru’s Ris Fatah reviews ‘WHERE IN THE HELL’ it’s life’s journeys that shape us rather than the destination.

We all love an American road trip, but what happens when you’re not well-prepared and things go wrong? LA-based prop master Kasey (a striking, sun-kissed red-head Cam Killion) finds out the hard way in Where in the Hell – a journey through the desolate, baking-hot California desert. Kasey returns with breakfast one morning to the flea-pit motel in a one-horse town where she has overnighted with her girlfriend Leah. She finds Leah, their dog and the car missing but Leah’s phone and meds are still in their motel room. She has no cell-phone reception, very little cash and no idea what has happened or what to do. She waits in vain for Leah to return. Whilst doing so she meets fellow motel resident Alan (Joohun Lee). Handsome, athletic Korean Alan is a struggling actor and on his own road trip, travelling up to Canada for an audition. Kasey realises that she and Alan have met in the past on a filming job. Kasey thinks that Leah may be heading up to Montana, and so, after hanging out together for a day, the two decide to travel north together, sharing the driving and cost of gas, and keeping each other company.

They soon realise that they have very different personalities. Boyish, guitar-playing Kasey takes life seriously and is a bit of an over-thinker, whereas cutie Alan is mostly concerned with taking topless selfies in front of any local landmark. Between them, they have almost no cash, and nowhere seems to accept credit cards. There is also no phone signal, so they are truly dependent upon each other and their joint resourcefulness. What follows is a series of humorous episodes as the two navigate the remote desert, deserted diners, and far-flung bars with an accompanying bored and lusty barmaid, a trainee psychic, and a looming border security.

Written and directed by Laramie Dennis, Where In The Hell, her debut feature, is a gentle, quirky comedy drama with a warm heart and soul. We wish the best for Kasey and Alan who seem to be haplessly bumbling their way through life, as well as on the road. Both characters are equally simple and complex, slightly lost twenty-somethings, searching for something, but not quite sure what that something is. Beautiful cinematography captures the golden desert landscapes through to the forests of the northern states. A colour palette of burnt oranges prevails, nicely contrasting with the blue denim sported by Kasey. Both characters are very easy on the eye and even scenes outside a roadside toilet are attractively styled to the hilt. The queer road trip is a common cinematic trope but the styling and art direction here make this film feel fresh. The plot could have been fuller but this poetic film serves to provide a snapshot of their lives, leaving us wanting more. The quietness is an asset, as is the strong soundtrack when it pops up. It’s also a reminder that it’s life’s journeys that shape us rather than the destination.

 

For all future screenings check https://whereinthemovie.com/

 

 

Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant  (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah