SAN FRANCISCO — NakedSword today added another indie short film — “HOLE” — to the NakedSword Film Works library.
“HOLE” is director Martin Edralin's acclaimed 15-minute short film that gives voice to disabled people while tackling major issues around sexuality and disability, a studio publicist said.
“This powerful story is at times uncomfortable to watch yet impossible to look away from,” the publicist said. “It's no wonder the film is has received over two dozen awards at film festivals around the world after being screened at over 100 international film festivals including Toronto and Sundance.”
The short centers around a middle-aged disabled gay man named Billy who suffers from arthrogryposis multiplex congenita which makes everyday tasks impossible without the help of a caregiver. Because of his disability Billy feels alone in the world and yearns for intimacy and a sexual connection in a world that would rather ignore him.
The director Martin Edralin met the actor, Ken Harrower, who plays the main character in “HOLE” years before making the movie and was instantly struck by the actors positivity in the face of so many challenges.
Edralin said of Harrower, “He came to set with a pride flag hanging at the back of his wheelchair. I thought it was really badass that this guy, who likely faces all kinds of prejudice because of his disability, was publicizing his sexuality.”
For Harrower, the short gives a voice to a group in society that is often unheard. He himself has experienced people having difficultly looking past the wheelchair and his disability to see his true self, a gay man with sexual desires, the publicist said.
Harrower put it bluntly, "Disabled people are as horny as everyone else."
Tim Valenti, president of Falcon Studio Group and the NakedSword Network said,"I'm very proud to have this film as part of the NakedSword Film Works library.”
So far NSFW has a library of almost two dozen indie shorts and features.
“I think it's a bold storyline and moving depiction of the sexual desires of a group of people who are sometimes overlooked by society at large, particularly sexually speaking,” Valenti said. “It should be mandatory viewing for all of us to remind us that we are more than just our physical body."
View the "HOLE" trailer here.
