He Won't Belong (Queer Short Film)

In the midst of a storm on a desolate strip of California’s lost coast, Theo spots a young shivering stranger named Connor on the side of the road and brings him back to his home for shelter. While they wait for the storm to pass, they begin to uncover each others past wounds.
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A FILM SHORTAGE SELECTION
"He Won't Belong" is a short film by Dominic Mercurio / dominicmercurio
starring Cole Doman & Joel DeCandio
"As with anything I write, I start by pulling quite directly from my own experiences and expand outward from there to create characters and situations that form a more cohesive and interesting narrative than the truth actually provides. The film’s concept started forming after a couple of very different kinds of relationships I had with other gay men: one being a romantic relationship that often felt like equal parts pleasure and pain, and the second was a beautiful friendship that drifted apart. In the friendship, I wanted him to find happiness in the very apparent depression he was in, without realizing that I too was not properly dealing with my quiet internal depression from the fallout of my past romantic relationship. I think we both had a lot to learn from each other in how wildly different we were dealing with our pain. I worked through a lot of that in writing this film.
As far as the anxiety, panic attacks, and nightmares that we see Connor have, that is very much something I’ve dealt with my entire life. It was deeply important to me to bring an accurate representation of what that feels like into this story and have the audience feel what Connor is feeling.
Lastly, as far as the queer element to the film, I was really driven by the idea of having two gay men at the center of a story where romance was not at all a factor between them, but instead a connection where both have a lot to learn from each other in order to heal and move forward. As a gay man, I also think there’s a particular guard that is let down when you know you’re in the company of your fellow queers. I wanted to weave that particular social dance that queer people have to perform in so many situations into the film. It felt exciting to me to find the ways these two decide (or are forced) to share more about themselves and let their guards down."
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[@DominicMercurio1]

Hey there! I’m the writer, director, and editor of this film. He Won’t Belong is a queer drama that we shot in Sea Ranch, CA (couple hours north of where I live in San Francisco). It’s a story of grief, loss, and belonging - all through a queer lens. My aim first and foremost is to offer a story and characters that intrigue you and perhaps subverted some expectations. I’d be happy to answer any questions I see pop up in the comments here and I really hope the film resonated with you! Thank you for watching ❤

[@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube]

I like the ending. I couldn't get him out of my mind. the random hitchhiker decided to go back to the sea ranch ! nice

[@robertphillips5459]

It did! Very much so, I've been thru similar situations, I struggle every day with life, but somehow, someway I make it thru

[@tonyhornbuckle8378]

I love the film. Thank you.

[@SaAd-rt8me]

😅😊😅😅😊😊😅😊😅😊😅😅😅😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😅😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😊😅😊😊😅😊😅😊😅😊😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😅😊😅😅😅😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😅😊😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@MarkErback-qy5zx]

​@robertphillips5459 hang in there Robert! Mark,dallas. Gay n sngl. Tc Holler bck if u want!!

[@Thomas.Saunders]

Thanks for making this film available here. I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between the two characters. I'm an old guy, and sometimes reflect on people that I've only met once. It's surprising and wonderful how such meetings can bring a moment of real contact between two people.

[@tonyhornbuckle8378]

I have a story. I worked for an auto company for years. I wasn’t out. I took vacation time from my job. I had no plans so I drove to a larger city to see a concert. After the concert I was getting on the ramp for the freeway home. It was late and pitch dark out. On the ramp was this tall man with his thumb out for a ride. I had stopped to ask how far he was going? I only had to go east about 50 miles. He was on his way to Philadelphia. So he and I drove to my exit and I drove right pass it. We talked but for the life of me I do not remember one thing. Other then he asked me to come along to visit his friend in Philadelphia. I stayed with the two guys a couple days and drove back home. A couple weeks later the guy stopped by my apartment to again thank me for helping him to see his friend. He started asking me about myself. I came out to him. He said where do you go to be around other men. I told him I dont. So he ask for my phone book. He started calling information to find gay clubs. He gave me the information before he left. My apartment. I went out soon after to a club in my near city. I met my first partner there. Was with him for 9 years. I never heard from my hitchhiker again but he changed my life.

[@andyroo9381]

That is a cool experience! You helped him and he helped you.

[@symbionese2348]

Be kind to strangers, for thereby can angels be entertained by us, unawares.

[@yogiperogy]

Try hitting ‘Return’ once or twice after logical pauses or breaks in the flow of the story to render the tale more readable. The entire story in a SINGLE paragraph should be avoided unless the story is VERY brief!

[@Tomy_Yon]

​@yogiperogy it was perfectly readable.

[@KnowTrentTimoy]

You were fortunate that he wasn't some criminal but the "angels" must've been with you that evening. All it takes is a little kindness I guess. Great story.

[@andresguerra5489]

Do we make ourselves happy? Does our happiness depend on influence from an intimate partner? Are we better off alone? Better off being lonely? Do we judge our happiness by what others bring to the table? Are we too afraid to be hurt when we try to quell loneliness by depending on others for our happiness? A “mine” field, in which direction do go, where can I safely step? The complexities abound. Find out who you want to be. Look inside yourself. How do you define happiness? Does How you see yourself, feel like how you want the world to see you? I wish these questions could have been answered for me when I was younger, then maybe my life would have been different, maybe. Today, I feel like some people have to grow up too fast, making life changing choices too early. When I was young(er), there was an ebb and flow to, enough pause in our lives to see life happening, not anymore. Our life could change with the passing of the seasons, a little older, a little change. You’d have a different idea or perception from the spring of last year to the summer of the next. We had a bit more time to grow into ourselves. The world around us is vastly different, so much hate now so much hurt and disrespect. This film is poignant, from trying to find ourselves, to having found ourselves and what it took to get from one to the other. It’s not an easy journey for everyone and sometimes the destination is not what one expected. This is a must see. (Please excuse my rant).

[@craigcox5586]

Great film. The opening is so beautiful. It left me wanting to know more about both men. Is his dream simply a metaphor about his uncertainty of love and risking hurt? And his becoming ill at dinner; I read it as a panic attack triggered by the realization that we simply don’t know how things will end, or when. Sadly, we are never given those certainties. I may be 180° wrong in what I felt vs. what you mean. I also appreciate that you chose not to have them “find comfort in each other’s arms”. In my opinion only, it is low hanging fruit to choose a physical answer to these questions. It could have possibly, and realistically, happened between two hurting people, but I love that you chose differently for this story. I also loved that he turned to head home at the end. Thank you for allowing these questions the chance to breathe, without obvious and convenient resolutions. Such excellent work. I was completely invested in the story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@DominicMercurio1]

what you felt is what i mean. thank you so much for watching and considering its themes so deeply.

[@paulhunter6742]

Totally confused by the ending. I hate unresolved issues🤔🙄

[@Darrigrande]

The only certainty that we have is that one day we will die.

[@Darrigrande]

@@paulhunter6742 the whole life is an unresolved issue.

[@QuinnPatterson-ik5dc]

This is the definition of criminally underrated

[@redjupiter2]

When I first saw the house I knew it was Sea Ranch. I grew up in Northern California and love to take trips to the coast. I once picked up a hitchhiker in the rain outside of Mendocino. We ended up going to have a couple of beers and after I made the decision that he wasn't going to kill me, we shared my hotel room together and interestingly enough although he identified as being straight we held each other and went to sleep. He was going through a lot of personal grieving himself but we bonded that night and we still occasionally communicate. Your film filled me with the emotion and the memories of that rainy coastal weekend. The acting was superb as was the cinematography. A very touching film indeed. I would love to know the future for the two characters. It was nice to see the one boy turn around to go back where he came from.

[@DominicMercurio1]

Sea Ranch is just iconic and singular in its aesthetic. if you've been, you know. loved reading your story here and the parallels it has to my film! when you write you gotta just believe it could happen to keep the story going, but to hear that in some ways it sorta did is pretty wild. I still think so much about Connor and Theo and what they both would go on to do after the events here

[@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube]

you'd better luck than I. my random straight guy who came back to my hotel, he stripped off naked, and hopped into the shower, he was extremely hot. I was so excited. i remember thinking, this will be a once off before he finds an easy lay pussy and make babies with her. After he took his shower, he came over to the bed and got on top of me, he held me down and tried to choke me, i pushed him off me, he then smashed up my room, he ripped the lamp and tv of the wall. half naked, I grabbed my bag and ran away from the hotel. the next day, I got a call from the hotel manager letting me know the total cost of all the damages I had to pay

[@Leviwosc]

Thank you for the subtitles. I'm a non-native English speaker and sometimes I do not always understand what's being said. I find this film beautiful, but also painful in a way. It reminds me of my own issues. The actors did a great job and the scenery is stunning.

[@DanielH22]

Genuinely a masterpiece. The acting and directing are so well done. Keep up the good work!

[@joesony5196]

Triste histoire . J'ai vécu des instants terribles après mes deux ruptures avec les gars que j'ai aimés de ma vie; j'ai cru qu'avec le temps je finirais par panser mes blessures mais je n'ai pas pu ,ils sont bien loin, dans mon passé peut-être mais toujours dans mes pensées .Thank you so much for sharing this amazing moment.

[@champalaunepatrice8202]

Je comprends vos peines

[@eugenefrankmd5433]

The dialogue of affect, two hungry creatures seek the same goal, fearful, needy, weigh the chances, the cost, the mushroom walk to smell the earth too much, he could not tolerate the intensity of affect, his emptiness was so familiar.

[@samstruyven2299]

Gorgeous photography and great acting!

[@v6200man]

Artistic and skilful. Beautifully understated acting - a melancholy and sensitivity to which I can relate ❤

[@KnowTrentTimoy]

Watching this intriguing story tells me that being a gay person can be a lonely existence. To depend on someone else for your happiness is NOT my idea of a life. I loved how they both helped each other in different ways at the end. And that one's journey is a continuous struggle to find balance and peace.

[@MC-wild]

Beautifully shot, acted and directed. I am left wanting more, but isn't that the nature of LOVE..

[@vernalc2449]

WOW. That was pretty powerful and beautiful cinematography! Both guys were going through a lot, and the ending left me wanting more. I sensed a LOT of symbolism in many of the scenes, or maybe they were just metaphors for the things they were going through? Anyway, GREAT JOB!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing this nice film.😊

[@charlienelson2002]

Both uncertainty and a certain foreboding awaited Connor in San Francisco. Was Connor out of options? His short-term future was unsafe. Theo seemed a safe fellow and was in a remarkably secure place for beneficial mutual company. I'm not suggesting they be together, but their meeting appeared not to be a coincidence.

[@captainhennahead2323]

Absolutely enjoyable!!! I definitely loved this!! Subscribed!

[@FilmShortage]

❤ thank you!

[@chocolatemilk667]

Great job. That opening with the rain in the headlights looked amazing. I liked the slow pace leading up to the main character alone in the room... the panic attack took me by surprise... great mood and very well executed. Walking through the forest was really nice. I loved the shot through the basket handle. I really enjoyed the dream like scene in the dark. Great music and nice editing. What did you shoot on? The death of field was really nice. A Heart felt story and very well told

[@DominicMercurio1]

thanks so much! we shot the film with the Sony Venice :)

[@fidelguer]

Beautiful and powerful. The photography, effects , edition and direction were impressive. The actors´performances were just perfect. I really loved it. Congratulations! Wha will happen then? Is there a second part or another Short? ?

[@DominicMercurio1]

thanks so much! i am writing a new film at the moment :)

[@esunetdude]

I would vote for a part II. I could actually see this is a small series. Theo is set to lose his home and Connor left his boyfriend. Connor could get a job and help Theo keep the house. Etc etc etc. Not too far from reality, They both could have work from home jobs. And they both have family. That can be part of a follow-up.

[@robertphillips5459]

I never feel like I belong, I feel like a outcast, I do relate

[@briananderson8428]

Many thanks for this fabulous film. I was hoping Connor would stay, but that may have been too fairytale of an expectation. Really well done!

[@ajjockboy]

Wonderful. Thank you for this film.

[@jasonparker9367]

I lived in Humboldt County for 20 years. Oh, how I miss the giant redwoods.

[@ianmansbridge3646]

Concise and impactful story telling. Not many movies are as good as this. Please make a full length feature - maybe a spin off from this incident?

[@DominicMercurio1]

thanks so much! that means a lot. I did have many more ideas for expanding the story but unfortunately cut them for time. I would absolutely love to make a feature version of He Won't Belong someday.

[@jasoncorley5703]

Potent film.

[@michelleclerc3857]

Excellent. I will watch your (plural) work again - for enjoyment and study. I have loved the dissymmetries - the higher level of beauty they represent and create - in story pacing, atmosphere, colour and most of all between the two characters: their greater equality being in that they are not equal in destiny and therefore resonate with and complement each other. They are in balance.

[@markmh835]

It would be nice if this film had subtitles. Sometimes the actors spoke so fast (and quietly) that I couldn't understand what they were saying. Very nice film though.

[@FilmShortage]

Thanks for the feedback! We've just added subtitles to the film.

[@riccardo50001]

I found this in my middle of the night musings on You tube. it's been heartening to see how many gay films there are now Since come as I was growing up there was essentially nothing or really bad films Mostly about sex. Your story has layers and the film is beautifully made on many levels. Congratulations! To me the story is about gay alienation and how difficult it is for gay men to bond, get are we surprised After lifetimes of rejection and ridicule. I have vacationed many times North of Sea Ranch with friends with friends. When I was a child, my family vacationed almost every summer in northern Minnesota, not the same, but similar. As beautiful as it is, this film makes me feel sad and reflects upon my own loneliness as an aging gay man, painful but thanks. Yes, San Francisco is a wonderful place to release yourself, and can also be very lonely despite the proliferation of game people. Richard

[@bradboney1374]

Beautifully shot. I liked the Under the Skin homage.

[@johnamstutz]

Really enjoyed watching, very emotional.

[@phillipbates9587]

Lovely film

[@fosterjacobs6117]

Very great film. ❤❤❤😊😊😊 The best.❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@BTURNER1961]

You succeeded in all counts. The actors were excellent as well. As for questions, I have several involving interpretation and purpose of the dreams that I saw. But if they were intended to be answered by the writer, then that is your first mistake because you not going to be a constant resource to viewers. .We the audience needs to figure it out on our own, because that is what this art form demands of us. And that is what I will do even if I screw it up LOL. Great job.

[@DominicMercurio1]

theres no wrong answers in your personal interpretation. I only hope it resonated deeply enough for you to consider what it might mean. thank you for watching!

[@shaniakwetternest745]

Geweldig film

[@danaterrell3099]

This was pretty good. the acting in it is quite believable. I liked it. I wonder what a full film would have been? dana t.

[@James-vd9jb]

Well done.

[@obsession_77]

Great Story, scenography, acting. Really enjoyed watching it. However, I was just wondering if the gug is going back to San Francisco to his boyfriend or back to the house he just came from.

[@pixie99]

Thank you xxx

[@Tibby68]

What did the road sign say as the young man turned around and started walking in the other direction?

[@pjobkk]

San Francisco

[@hermanmorren2708]

Great!😀

[@stevendegliangeli7640]

True

[@rubencohen2936]

🤔 Why are there so many sad gay man ? It's not easy being gay is it.

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

He never once said, "Thank you"!

[@erics8757]

That really annoyed me, too.

[@Tomy_Yon]

He hugged him. That's sometimes more valuable than words.

[@davidmezainis7814]

What is one of the characters get panic or anxiety attacks?

[@oooowwwwdddd]

I'm wondering why you didn't write in a happier ending where they both stayed together, even as just friends. I understand you wanted an unexpected ending. But the ending kind of left me hanging, dissapointed and unsettled.

[@Gary-Florida-Guy]

Was he going back to San Francisco or back to Theo's as it was the same way Theo had come from?

[@davidadkison4702]

Weird

[@andyroo9381]

There was a lot of loneliness in this film.

[@rumpelppilz]

It glads me, but I hoped really to come together. The life is hard.

[@Darrigrande]

Not hard, but very hard! In march of the current year I have lost 2 love ones!

[@victormarie525]

👍

[@michaelbuettner99]

😊👍

[@tomfontana7670]

Not real. Every gay man knows in our world, in life, with so few, so very few, options, these two men would have hooked up immediately, stayed together, needing each other, filling the emptiness, loneliness, support, the need for touch, companionship, caring, sharing and love...and mushrooms.

[@tudalenn]

il est dommage que l'on ne puisse pas avoir des sous-titres.

[@FilmShortage]

On viens de rajouter des sous-titres en Français :)

[@aosilva1032]

Sem legendas em português :(

[@Jakethesnake7321]

👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@HectorGarcia1]

This is a terrific film. Congratulations @domenicmercurio1 for creating a complete story with true, believable characters, in a perfect situation when their lives intersect, with beautiful surroundings. Great production values. Thank you for using a SAG-AFTRA contract! It shows in the quality of your actors. I only wish that the scene with the first panic attack could be lightened a bit. It’s such an important moment for Connor and it was hard to see what see was feeling and going through. Likewise, the font color of the credits; those are hard to read without zooming in. But this is minimal stuff. The project itself is a standout and I hope you submit it to film festivals everywhere. @sagaftra

[@DominicMercurio1]

thank you so much!

[@extremelymediocre4342]

He is going back by the wrong side... is he?

[@totalynotanalt4800]

i wonder the same thing...