NFSW’s Adam Baran and “Zolushka” director Wes Hurley talk how the perfect rim job became the raunchy twist his queer Cinderfella uses to entertain some and flip off others.
Our Indie Focus Thursday today is a sit-down that NakedSword Film Works (NSFW) curator Adam Baran just conducted to coincide with the premiere of “Zolushka” yesterday at NSFW. Adam’s chat with director Wes Hurley covers everything from Colby Keller, Russian homophobia, and the art of eating a man’s hole perfectly in amazing and entertaining detail.
Wes Hurley: The idea for ZOLUSHKA came after I made my previous short PETER AND THE WOLF. That short was my friend Dennis Turner’s concept. When we finished the film, I was so happy with how it turned out. The juxtaposition of graphic Tom of Finland inspired iconography, a classic fairytale and the simplicity of a silent film worked so well together. I was instantly inspired to do a series of these shorts and to eventually combine them into an anthology feature. Cinderella seemed like an obvious choice for the second short. It’s such a recognizable story that even when you alter the elements of it pretty significantly, people still know what you’re referencing. I went through several titles. It turned out “Cinderfella” and “Cinderello” were taken. Then I had this epiphany to name it “Zolushka” which means “Cinderella” in Russian. Russian culture is so incredibly homophobic, it felt fun to claim that name and have it be associated with gay sex from now on.
How did you get Colby Keller involved in the project and what was it like working with him?
Colby and I knew each other before the short. He’s stayed with me in Seattle. I found him to be so warm and lovely and easy to be around, I started to plan a way for us to work together. So when the idea for ZOLUSHKA came up, I knew right away that I wanted Colby to be the Prince. He’s such a major cultural icon and he’s someone millions of gay boys around the world fantasize about, so no one would be a better fit to play this ultimate archetype. Working with Colby is pure bliss. He’s incredibly intelligent, kind, easy going and professional.
Colby and I knew each other before the short. He’s stayed with me in Seattle. I found him to be so warm and lovely and easy to be around, I started to plan a way for us to work together. So when the idea for ZOLUSHKA came up, I knew right away that I wanted Colby to be the Prince. He’s such a major cultural icon and he’s someone millions of gay boys around the world fantasize about, so no one would be a better fit to play this ultimate archetype. Working with Colby is pure bliss. He’s incredibly intelligent, kind, easy going and professional.
The twist on the glass slipper was fun to come up with. I knew from the beginning that it had to be something that sets our janitor apart – like the glass slippers. Yet unlike real Cinderella our janitor doesn’t have the luxury of drag to disguise himself. So I thought – what could it be that the Prince is so impressed with Cinderella, yet doesn’t know for sure which one he is. The obvious choice would have been a gloryhole blowjob. I wanted it to be something more raunchy, something you don’t see in a non-porn setting. I have to say nothing beats watching the salad tossing scene on a big theater screen with an audience who just watched a bunch of non-explicit films and who had no idea what’s in store for them. When we screened at Outfest, I met Shia LaBeouf and his mother. And he weirdly insisted on taking my comps to see the film. I like to think they were there, holding hands and taking it all in together.
Clearly your work was influenced by the Kuchar brothers. Can you talk a little bit about how your found inspiration in their work?
Well, actually I discovered their work already after I developed my own low-fi aesthetic. But it did feel incredibly powerful and inspiring to find their work, because they seemed like kindred souls in a way and they’ve been doing it for so much longer. They were doing what I would have been doing if I had a camera as a kid in Russia. Finding filmmakers with this kind of punk ethic who just don’t give a fuck and do their thing completely outside of industry, without asking for permissions, without caring what people think is always inspiring.
If people enjoy ZOLUSHKA, which I’m sure they will, how can they check out some of your other work? And what’s next for you?
I have a TV/web series called “Capitol Hill”. It’s a twisted queer parody/homage to 70’s-80’s American TV shows like “Dynasty” and “Murder, She Wrote” as well as anime and giallo. It stars my best friend and muse, Waxie Moon (who played the fairy godmother in “Zolushka”), Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme, Robbie Turner, Guinevere Turner and has cameos by Colby Keller as well. The show is on TV in Europe and Canada, but you can also watch it online.
The most sexually hilarious eight minutes of your queer life …
[Watch “Zolushka” at NakedSword]
“Zolushka” joins “Raspberry Reich GR”, “Doors Cut Down”, “I Want Your Love.” “100 Boyfriends Mixtape,” “Hattie Goes Cruising,” and “Catharsis” at NakedSword Film Works (NSFW).