"Pillion" is the perfect movie for this Valentine’s Day Or It could become your new favorite Christmas movie
There are two options, although one does not exclude the other: for Valentine’s Day, with the release on February 12th in Italy, you can go watch Pillion by Harry Lighton in theaters, or you can make it your next holiday season staple. In fact, it was on Christmas Eve that the directorial and screenwriting debut of the British author premiered, which had its first showing at last year’s Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, becoming the most talked-about title of the event. Pillion also won an award: Best Adapted Screenplay for the adaptation of the novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, a film that is an unusual rom-com blending the genre’s codes with elements of BDSM.
A Rom-Com Made of Leather and Latex
@britishfilminstitute Watch the new trailer for Harry Lighton's Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling as unlikely lovers. Out in cinemas from 28 Nov. Best wishes to the filmmaking team ahead of the UK premiere at #LFF this evening! #BFIBacked #NationalLottery original sound - British Film Institute
The protagonists are Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, the latter moving from playing cousin Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter film series to a young, inexperienced gay man who falls in love with a muscular biker portrayed by the True Blood vampire. A relationship based on power dynamics, agreed upon and accepted by both parties. A submissive-dominant relationship that Lighton’s writing fills with humor and emotion, appropriating the romantic genre and placing it in a world of leather and latex.
It’s everything one could ask for on Valentine’s Day: romance, laughter, love at first sight, collars included. With respect for the Pillion maintains the narrative codes of romance, fitting perfectly into the genre while staying true to the characters’ personality and faith. A story that remains consistent until the end, for a love story with its own specific and personal twist. It doesn’t bow to others’ expectations, but follows the rhythm and desires of its characters, showing itself as extremely honest on screen, never needing to restrain or protect itself, instead entertaining and having fun as much as possible.
Between Love and Identity
@nssmagazine This year, Alexander Skarsgård, brother of Bill Skarsgård and son of actor Stellan Skarsgård, has drawn attention for his fashion choices. With the press tour for his new A24 film Pillion, he continues to define his style through leather pants, backless tops, and looks inspired by the film’s queer-BDSM themes. Thoughts? @British Film Institute @NEON #tiktokfashion #alexanderskarsgard #skarsgård #style suono originale - nss magazine
And while the audience becomes invested in the story of these two characters—each adept at creating this unlikely couple that moves with precision in their emotional and relational mechanics—one realizes that Pillion is also a work about discovering one’s identity. About finding oneself, what we want, what we enjoy. Without prejudice, without judgment, only exploration, learning, and acceptance. A way of living relationships that does not have to be the same for everyone, but must be based on a deep understanding of the other and infinite respect. Trust that must be maintained and, when broken, happens because some promises or certainties have failed.
The character of Melling, Colin, understands himself through the relationship and interaction with Ray, played by Skarsgård. Pillion is a love story between two people, but it is also one towards oneself, one’s needs and desires. That’s why it is incredibly bittersweet, thrilling and touching at the same time. It’s the perfect movie for Valentine’s Day because one must learn to know and love oneself in order to know and love another, whether choosing to be submissive or the opposite.
