-Written by Kyle Bain.
First thing’s first: Birder is incredibly gay. That’s not meant to be either a critique or a compliment–simply a fact. The film’s main character has sex with many men throughout the course of the film. The sex is (I believe) simulated–but it looks very real. If this is something that won’t interest you, that might upset you, that might simply turn you off to the film–then I strongly encourage you to avoid Birder at all costs.
There is significantly more to the film than just the sex scenes, however–but sex plays a major role in the development of the characters and the film as a whole. Birder begins with Kristian Brooks (Michael Emery)–a man looking for good places to hike and enjoy nature. He finds himself in the far depths of the New Hampshire wilderness, at a nude campground for queer men and women. As he infiltrates the site, his kinks take the camp by storm–and things like rape, consent, and the dangers of both come into question.
The intention behind Birder is obvious–though I’m not sure that Writer Amnon Lourie or Director Nate Dushku ever explicitly express its purpose. While, again, they don’t tell us directly what the purpose of their film is, Kristian is used as a way to express those thoughts and ideas for us. His actions–particularly his sexual endeavors–tell a story, one that is harrowing, cautionary, and sometimes even disgusting. Emery is a wonderful actor, effectively being tasked with bringing the entirety of this film to life from beginning to end. He’s the center of attention–and, in a way, the totem of Birder. Everything goes through him, the other characters worship his Kristian, and by the end of the film, even through his unsavory ventures, I found myself rooting for him. Through Emery, Kristian is charming–easily conveying a sense of honesty, charisma, and genuine passion that seeps into every fiber of the film. With a task that tall, I imagine that could be easy to fumble–but he slays every second of his performance. Additionally, I think it’s important to mention that he is nude through a good portion of Birder–and that can’t make this any less challenging for Emery. Again, he’s brilliant.
Nearly the entirety of Birder takes place in nature–in the great wide open. That does something for the film, and helps to develop something of a connection between the natural space in which the film takes place and Kristian’s actions. Birder forces viewers to question their beliefs, to question whether or not people are inherently bad, good, or something in between. With that, we are sort of forced into forging a bond with Kristian, even when he’s doing some unacceptable things. I feel like I’m rambling here, like I’m struggling to produce one, singular, coherent thought–but that’s sort of how I felt while watching the film. That’s a good thing, though. The wilderness creates something serene and relaxing, while Kristian does just the opposite. Though, they are somehow similar. In short: Birder makes you think. I genuinely appreciate a film like this, one that forces you to think beyond the confines of its runtime.
It’s been nearly a week between my viewing of Birder and finally sitting down to write a review. Rarely do I wait that long, rarely do I need time (to this extent) to mull over my feelings on the film. Again, I believe it’s a good thing that Dushku makes viewers think this much, because–let’s be honest, on the surface this seems like a film that may trouble many viewers. It’s a series of nude men wandering around the woods for nearly two hours, sleeping with one another (with some oddly kinky endeavors playing out in the process). Birder certainly finds ways to appeal to a greater audience–and from the moment you finish the film, I guarantee you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
Directed by Nate Dushku.
Written by Amnon Lourie.
Starring Michael Emery, David J. Cork, Cody Sloan, Jes Davis, Uki Pavlovic, etc.
7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE
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