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Logline

Pillow Talk peeks into the intimate lives of 5 Gay Couples through their postcoital conversations.

Their stories explore the Passion, Hope, Prejudice and Heartache of these diverse but relatable characters; to finally reveal that each is set at a different pivotal moment of LGBTQ+ history.

History doesn’t Repeat, but we Rhyme.

Synopsis

MALCOLM (African American, Early 20s) + JACK (White, Mid 20s)
A Trans Drag Queen and straight New Jersey guy’s romance blossoms concealed behind closed doors; but when realities of the outside world creep in, self-doubt and judgments soon threaten their love affair.

MIKE (40s) + SEAN (40s)
A caustic dynamic hides suppressed desires – and ulterior motives – as we are gradually led to question if one or both are playing the other.

DANIEL (Asian American, Punky, 30s) + BENNY (White, Beary, 30s)
Opposites attract, as this unlikely couple learn to overcome their prejudices and differences; but once a truth is revealed, they must decide if some differences are simply too great?

JOE (Mid 50s) + BILLY (18)
Both a coming out story, and a generational rite of passage of resilience in the face of adversity, self-harm and conversion therapies; when two kindred souls find themselves drawn together.

WILL (White, 40s) + JD (African American, Early 20s)
After surviving through the trauma and loss of AIDS, can one man persuade the other to risk his grieving heart on love again?
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Ra-ey Saleh – Writer/Director/Producer/Editor
Ra-ey is a TV Editor, originally from the UK, where he earned his BA (hons) in Film & TV (First Class) from Staffordshire University; and a PGDip in Film Editing from the Northern Film School.

He has been an Editor for 25 years in the UK, Australia, and now the US, with credits including Short Dramas, Music Videos, Documentaries, Lifestyle and Reality shows.

Since living in New York, he has explored Writing, Producing and Directing, mainly online Promos, which culminated in his Award-winning Web Series Daddyhunt: The Serial, that to date, has garnered over 30 million views, making it one of the most successful Gay Web Series on YouTube in history.

Ra-ey has recently also written an unproduced 10-part mystery Web Series; and is currently writing a Feature Film based on a book he optioned about one man’s experiences of Aversion Therapy in the UK.

ra-eysaleh.com

Ben Arredondo – Producer
Ben is a Media and Film Producer, originally from Texas, where he received his BA in English Literature from the University of Houston.

For 20 years he has produced and directed over 40 nationally broadcast commercials for the media company Cellfish; independently directed 5 downtown New York Theater productions; and was the Executive Producer of 31 Media projects for the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.

As Executive Director of PictureStart Productions he produces projects across North America, predominantly working with Indigenous filmmakers.

Ben is currently involved with several documentary and narrative film projects as Producer/Executive Producer at various stages.

ben-arredondo.com

Brandon Ripley – Director of Photography
Brandon is an Emmy-nominated American Cinematographer, who completed his education in Film & Digital Video at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is now based in New York.

His work has been featured on Netflix, A+E Networks, MTV, and the SXSW Film Festival. He also has an extensive commercial career for top brands, including: Google, Samsung, Danone, B&G Foods, Toyota, Spotify, Hulu, Hasbro, E.L.F Cosmetics, KIA, Verizon, Pepsi, Anheuser-Busch, Walmart, Macy’s and Adobe.

Brandon is a co-owner of Sleepless Pictures, a boutique production company, where he directs, shoots, and produces Music Videos and Short Films.

brandonripley.com

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.