Sunset (Gay Short Film, WWII Romance - Dirs. Katie Ennis & Gary Jaffe)

In the days following Pearl Harbor, a duty-bound Jewish gay man (Niccolò Walsh) must decide whether to serve overseas or remain in New York City with his bohemian lover (Ryan Trout). Honor, responsibility and patriotism collide with sexuality, otherness, and of course, love.
"Sunset" made its World Premiere at the prestigious Palm Springs International ShortFest then went on to play in over 35 festivals in 5 countries on 3 continents, winning awards and accolades throughout its run.
DIRECTORS: Katie Ennis & Gary Jaffe
WRITER: Gary Jaffe
PRODUCERS: Katie Ennis & Skylar Landsee
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathon Millman
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Justin Cox
COMPOSER: Julian Cassia
EDITOR: Katie Ennis
CAST: Ryan Trout, Niccolò Walsh
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Gary Jaffe
For more information, find us at www.sunset-film.com.
About Katie: www.katieennis...
About Skylar: www.skylarland...
The newest film from Band of Others: www.nextlevels...

[@liviamansano8757]

Please God let this be a full length feature film one day. The quality this short has is so rare, I want to bask in it a little longer

[@garyjaffe]

We've got the script, all we need is the *checks notes* millions of dollars! Thank you for the kind kind comment.

[@godscissorer]

O it's gay alright

[@chaysecrossley189]

Come on full length future film!

[@yase-min4765]

@@garyjaffe damn that reality for me. I hope you find some place to fondation

[@chaallus]

@@garyjaffe KickStarter it!

[@nickpearson291]

Some first rate acting in this shortie. I was reminded of my WWII era gay friends, who are now long gone. Nobody currently living comes close to their panache.

[@garyjaffe]

I'm so glad to read this! All we can do is try to imagine and honor those who came before us... so if we're doing that even just a little, it means we've succeeded!

[@remplidefeux]

That whole scene was so raw and intimate. There were times I honestly felt I shouldn't be seeing this. Every aspect, writing, directing, etc, was spot on. And those two actors... wow. Just wow. They owned that scene.

[@juancarlos9592]

Yes.....totally agree

[@kevinmoeti]

I'm generally not a fan of gay historical dramas because they're always end in tragedy, but this was extremely well done. The shots were beautiful. And these actors are very clearly well-trained craftsmen.

[@SuperMatt2112]

I could not agree more. this was well done.

[@olly-kai]

Yeah but now I gotta worry about him in combat!

[@danielserrato5710]

It saddens me to think of the many relationships that ended this way. Neither seeing the other ever again. Terrible bits of history we never think about. I would love to see part 2 with a happy ending. We all love happy endings.

[@sarahbrightmore3749]

I know, it's so beautiful what they feel for each other and so sad, because happy endings are so rare 😢😢 but I want to see them come back to each other!!

[@philzmusic8098]

He’ll come back if he survives. Chances are he won’t. All wartime love stories are sad.

[@mrscashmorrisey1702]

I am speechless. I don't know what to say as the tears roll down my face. This is just an absolutely phenomenal short. Everything about it is perfect. This short deserves so many awards, not least of all the acting by these two leads. I've never seen them before but I will certainly be keeping my eyes out for their work. What I loved about this is that them being gay was really not the focus of the film although that thread weaves its way through their story. This was every couples pain prior to the husband/boyfriend going off to war. The only thing that was different here to me is that they were both not heading off to war being as they were a male same-sex couple. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this film. Just wonderful.

[@garyjaffe]

Wow!!! Thank you so much. So kind of you.

[@Lepewhi]

@@garyjaffe Perfection!! Writing, acting, staging, lighting... It was beautiful to watch.

[@sarahbrightmore3749]

I know the whole thing right from the start is so beautiful and poignant, the scene of the them making love was so tender!

[@edwardspriggs5076]

What a powerfully passionate short film. My heart goes out to so many people who have to hide or deny their love to survive and I'm one of them. To live in constant fear and abandonment, on the outside of society. Yet have so much unconditional love on the inside of their own space, says allot about the world we still live in.

[@vpombovp]

“Fighting for a country that doesn’t love you” said LGBTQ, African Americans, Latinos, and so on. We all fight the same fight in a way

[@stvp68]

The script and actors did a great job capturing the complex psychology of this situation. Well done!

[@sparkers70]

I could do a review that was longer than the film, talking about the direction and writing and set design and so much more... but I'll be brief: the acting is EXQUISITE. These two gentlemen need to be seen. I sincerely hope this launches two long and happy careers. Beautifully done all around. Congrats. ☺

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you! We agree-- Ryan and Niccolò are stars!!!

[@thedailybullshit4033]

And then Peter came home and continued his relationship with Arnie and they all lived happily ever after because I'm already fucking crying and if I think anything else happened I'll be curled on the bed for the next 71 hours. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

[@SpankinHands]

Or... Peter came home a living casualty of war and Arnie was never able to connect with him again, and lived with agonizing regret over his self-centered behavior their last time together.

[@olivertheguy97]

@@SpankinHands dammit

[@lunahunyo4339]

@@SpankinHands -_- i hope u stub ur toe

[@godscissorer]

71?

[@chaallus]

@@lunahunyo4339 lol!

[@matthewbrown560]

Ryan Trout, Arnold, was absolutely amazing. hope this actor has a long a successful career

[@leesean]

Well done! This period piece has me thinking what a story might be between a Japanese American man and his non-Japanese lover on the evening before the former must report for internment.

[@garyjaffe]

Good idea! Write it! 😉

[@michaelmcintire8781]

At that time in America, that Japanese American man, would more than likely have been in an internment camp, just as all the other Japanese Americans were.

[@garyjaffe]

@@michaelmcintire8781 I believe that's GriotGood's point, that it's the night before the Japanese-American's summons to the internment camp. Can a gay man defend serving his country when that country is sending his lover off to internment?

[@johnf5877]

War so changes people after what many have seen. There are so many possibilities for this story to continue. Fabulous start though !

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you! I have a whole trilogy in my mind.

[@mataora]

This is gorgeous.The fact they are both naked gives a realism/authenticness to the plot.

[@boyinthepenaltybox]

I don't know what I was expecting from this film. I put off watching it for soooo long; I suppose i thought it would be another gay "period piece" full of guilt and shame and tragedy. This film blew me away! In a word, amazing. This is really good. Bravo!

[@ryr1974]

we taught the world what a passionate romance was and they turned around and started keeping us apart and when we happened to find one another convinced so many of us that what we felt was less than love. wonderful film, great script, acting, visuals where great.

[@jjamesh99]

Somebody write a movie for Ryan Trout! That cutie can act. I’m talking Oscar worthy. Bravo!

[@garyjaffe]

We absolutely agree!!!

[@rjcb3]

Extraordinary! The poignancy on so many levels are astounding and very real. I'm a WWII buff, I was raised by my grandparents, who lived through it all and Grama taught me all about the domestics of the period. How many Arnies waited for their Peters? Thank you so much for this.

[@rjcb3]

Thank you. I've heard of the book, but haven't read it, so, off to Amazon I go. If only two pages provided the inspiration for such a beautiful short film, I'll look forward to a great read.

[@juancarlos9592]

Well said Robert

[@boonestead4812]

the previous generation who endured this...and then stood up,so we wouldnt have to.thanks.

[@beauzey]

Wrecked. Was not prepared for the rollercoaster 😭. Will we see more of this ? So good.

[@moonlight901]

Pity this isn’t a feature-length film. I’d love to know more about their backstories and of course how it eventually ends (I hope happily even though it uses WWII as a backdrop)😭

[@rrraviolidotorg]

Mmmm...why do I do this to myself. This was so beautifully put together. You need to make more. I’m begging you. I’m binge watching gay short films and I came across this one and I’m crying. It’s so amazing. ❤️❤️

[@sarahbrightmore3749]

Me too, more please!!

[@tenor714]

Such a beautifully acted and shot short film with emotional resonance. Bravo!

[@MsSoundguy]

Beautiful. Sometimes when two directors are involved, one can tell. This is beautiful, seamless, and incredibly compelling. I'm from the generation immediately following and grew up knowing a gay WWII vet. He's was my father's best friend, but I doubt if he and my father ever hooked. He and I did, however, and I was never quite sure if he was fucking me or my father. The '60s...gotta love 'em. Someone commented there should be a Part 2. No, but if there were, Peter could well return injured...physically, mentally, or both. It is also quite possible that just before his scheduled release from the Army, he would be court martialed and receive a dishonorable discharge which would conveniently deny him of any vet benefits, then and in the future. It happened.

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you! And yes, if there are future stories to tell with these characters, we definitely have dishonorable discharges in the mix...

[@bnoriginal8770]

Well shot, great chemistry, love all the little details. Beautiful.

[@garyjaffe]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesmurrell]

Beautifully crafted and performed, if only all gay short films were this good. This jewel stands head and shoulders above the rest.

[@meg_anduke]

This deserve to be a movie, the actors are so brilliant.

[@sophb8302]

Wow, this was beautiful. And to think of all the people who never saw their loved ones again, who died for a country that doesn’t even recognize their rights.

[@abigailjones1840]

Made me cry literally .... can;t wait for the next part

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you! I'll try to get it made ASAP for you!

[@mikamaka970]

The quality is astonishing for a short. Brilliant one, great characters! 😍

[@JJoeisCooking]

This was unbelievably beautiful. Very poetic and realistic at the same time..

[@oc5939]

Wow what a beautiful film! The acting, writing and direction were incredible.

[@laminage]

It was the first one that I saw with a Historical American Vibe. I saw Man In An Orange Shirt and I loved it. Also they mention Central Park and it was synonymous with Gay Culture. It was Central Park where Sal Romano talked to his Wife Kitty after he got Fired and a Young Man cruised an Older Man. Then going for Therapy was something that The Late Chester Weinberg did for several years and stopped. He would later be the Mentor of Calvin Klein and a Teacher At Parsons School Of Design and sadly enough he would die of AIDS related illness the same way Halston who heavily influenced Calvin Klein.

[@lillianjones9885]

OMG. THIS. IS. AMAZING. The vibe is like off the charts my dude and the drama is just mmm 😔👌

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you! What can I say, we love drama over here... 💖

[@jacobsoto2316]

This was top tier, nothing short of spectacular.

[@garyinspringhill8175]

I thought this old 65 yr old guy had dried up tear ducts, but noooo.! What a VERY touching film, made me glad to be gay!!

[@lotionman2587]

When do we get to s.ee more of these actors?! I hope their careers thrive

[@lotionman2587]

Oh -- sorry -- kudos to the writers and directors, etc., too !!!

[@chuckandmax7313]

That was beautifully done, a well written script that was a rollercoaster of emotion, the actors blended well together and the scenes were so tastefully done. Sad that this story was the story of many soldiers that had to go to war and leave their secrets locked up in a upper flat in the city.

[@yanakumar2980]

How is it that this is making me tear up so much? Oh I know, it was a masterpiece Also this reminded me of the Fanfic called Twist and Shout, and if you don't know, that fic is gonna drain you of tears.=, similar to this short

[@jerryburns3583]

Tender and yet unfulfilled. Beautifully done but, I want to know how they or if they come back together.

[@Magnetron33]

Excellent original ideas. Very well done. The actors carried this beautifully

[@djb6313]

Very good. Ain’t love grand. No matter how long it lasts or hurts.

[@Timoofthee]

Such a beautiful depiction of emotions between two men!

[@milagrosb.8230]

in my mind he comes back and they have a very very happy ending. this was just brilliant.

[@tomdwyer898]

Simply beautiful. ❤️

[@chenzhou7288]

@ Gary jaffe! OMG 😲 such amazing job!! How come I didn’t find this short sooner, but I’m lucky and honored to see it! It made us living in 2020 so much more greatful and appreciated of the life we have and the LBGT movement progress throughout all these years, things really have changed completely since that time We are soooo lucky that we didn’t born in that time period!!!! Hi, Gary, your writing is talented and it touches me so much, and the cast choice is brilliant, where did you guys find Ryan! Arnold’s sexiness sassy, humor etc, the acting is amazing!!! Have you considered making the sequel a full length film, because I can’t get enough of it!! 15min feels like a flip of a second, I flip my eye and it’s over!!! It’s tooooooo short!! I want more!!! 🤗🤗🤗😇😇💗😭 Thank you Gary for this work, when is the sequel going to be made?

[@garyjaffe]

We're so glad you enjoyed it, Chen!! We have lots of ideas of where to go from here, including a feature! Stay tuned.

[@chenzhou7288]

Gary Jaffe 😊 can’t wait! Hopefully not too long, releasing in 2020!😄

[@garyjaffe]

@@chenzhou7288 oh, that's a bit fast to turn around a period film! We'll do our best. 😉

[@chenzhou7288]

Gary Jaffe no worry! I’ll be waiting patiently for whatever time you need, take your time, I know a good film needs time and effort and money as well as hard work, it really takes time! So whenever it comes out, I’ll be there ASAP!! You have our support and good luck with future writing, take care!🍀🌸🌸

[@BTURNER1961]

One point to add, on a more controversial note. I think this is like the perfect short story or one act theatrical play. Its shows complete mastery of this form. I don't necessarily want to see these characters in something longer, or 'learn' what happens to them when he comes back in some series of future revivals of a winning combination. Too often the luster of the pearl diminishes when thrown around others in a necklace. Leave this to be a perfect short film , leave the characters here. And make new short films, with new characters that shine. You guys are gifted.

[@garyjaffe]

Not controversial at all! I like that we have a dialogue going about where Peter and Arnie can go from here and whether they should.

[@BTURNER1961]

@@garyjaffe Before you make a sequel you have to be very sure you have something just as important to say, as you did this time. They deserve no less attention to detail, character and theme than they got here. don't do it because there is an audience for it.

[@jjamesh99]

I think I agree. Leave it unresolved. Don’t write a continuation just because people want it or are uncomfortable with their need for closure. You gave us so much more by allowing us to explore all the possible outcomes in our own imaginations. You have made us writers in our own way. Why the last glance straight out the window takes me a thousand different ways. Then again, what is better than one diamond? Two diamonds.

[@jasonblasius8365]

Wow, just beautiful!

[@fxckbtchkill3093]

WHAT........TTTT 😭 NEED MORE FROM BOTH OF THEM

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

Very moving, pulled me in right away, I felt the emotions. I agree that this should be a full length feature. I was just getting interested! Darn you short film makers!

[@zacklove3794]

Truly an exquisite short film. Two fine actors, and all other aspects of the film are spot-on.

[@LesMortsDansants]

Beautiful movie, the loving tenderness left me in tears. Hurry with the next part and please can we have a happy ending?

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you for saying so! If I keep the story going, I can't promise a happy ending though... it might be that these two allowing their love to survive despite seemingly irreconcilable paths might be the happiest ending they're gonna get. Regardless, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

@@garyjaffe We've seen enough love torn apart from circumstances, thank you. Do you want these two to be Maurice and Alec; or Maurice and Clive? Shall they join each other in God's own country or only call each other by each other's name?

[@garyjaffe]

@@Leftatalbuquerque first, yeeeees to MAURICE. The Merchant & Ivory vibe is what I'm all about. Second, I'm all about hard-earned happy-ish endings. These two may have one yet, but if they do, it will be with the compromises that circumstances force on us -- that are in fact that foundations of real happiness and real wisdom, whether in relationship or not. But who knows, we shall see! 😉

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

@@garyjaffe You are to Romance what Ayn Rand is (to Romance!).

[@garyjaffe]

@@Leftatalbuquerque oh, hardly! If you must compare me to an epic novelist, I'd say I identify more with the Tolstoyan mode. Individuals caught in the wave of history, clinging to each other as they are swept along, acting foolishly then learning to be wise...

[@BabaEjo88]

There is "magic" in this. Truly. I do hope that sometime into the future this can be made into a movie. It resonates with me on some.... Emotional, psychological, primal level.

[@chloe-oe2gz]

i keep rewatching this. it’s very good🤗

[@kevinlongman007]

It made me laugh when he alluded that the USA was the only country that was going the save the World from Hitler when the UK had been fighting the Nazi's almost single handed since 1939.

[@garyjaffe]

And Russia was most singularly responsible for Germany's defeat, at great cost following the Hitler's about- face with Operation Barbossa! But try telling that to a 19yo American boy with a head full of dreams and propaganda, and a Jewish heritage to defend...

[@elijahh_v]

fuCK IM CRYING WHY AM I SO EMOTIONAL

[@garyjaffe]

Let it happen 😉

[@wonderlandrious6116]

Goodbye might be an easy word to say, but it's a hard word to do.💌

[@m.sparks4394]

Wow! Just wow!

[@ugapriyathirugnanam8384]

Absolutely loved it. Liked how you stayed true to the confines of the room. Must have been tempting to may be show Nicolo in the street looking up to Ryan. I am glad you didn’t

[@garyjaffe]

Glad you enjoyed it! We did consider a shot of the street but it would have added an extraordinary amount of 1941 set decoration! So we left it just Ryan in the window -- and we prefer it that way too!

[@jm7804]

It makes me sad when I think about all of the men and women in years past who lived their lives never being able to be who they really were. Such a pity.

[@alesarahmad8147]

The end's music it's nice❤

[@gchlupsa]

Unbelievably beautiful in all its fullness......I enjoyed this short film very much.

[@lilithrogers5204]

OH such a moving, well done scene.......Thank You......🤩

[@Lylo-mj8ek]

Stunning, Touched my heart. Thank You. Peace.

[@randalllake2785]

Great script

[@rubencohen2936]

Can you imagine living in this time period and being so carefully not to get caught, because we want what the heart wants. Well done shot film. I recommend you approach Netflix on doing a similar original production. I pay for Netflix each month and would love to see some movie or series like your work. Go with my suggestion there are no coincidences that I stumbled upon your wonderful film tonight. Happy New Decade 🏳️‍🌈🎬🎥📺

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you, Ruben! We have the same idea!

[@xadam2dudex]

Just curious, are you related to Sam Jaffe the actor ?

[@garyjaffe]

@@xadam2dudex nope! No relation.

[@poojakatoch8239]

It is a masterpiece ❤❤❤ beautiful actors

[@JeffMende]

Honor, patriotism, and responsibility won....but love endures.........a interesting tale of mystery.....thanks...jeff

[@fidelguer]

Great Short. I loved the picture and the edition of it.

[@liviamansano8757]

Absolutely Fantastic.

[@rickbare33139]

So very well done! Thank you.

[@yase-min4765]

Acting Scenario Cam,sound, editing Everything is smells quality

[@cynhanrahan4012]

Beautifully done film. And I'm in tears.

[@sydshrimp]

This short is just perfect.

[@bettedavisweloveyou270]

Thank you for destroying me haha

[@sylvainmax1896]

So beautiful! I don't know what to say!

[@FranklinK123]

Where's my happy ending. I need a part 2

[@alesarahmad8147]

Oh god😭😭🌻💙

[@heosomeheosome6752]

That was beautiful

[@warrenneame]

Amazing short movie ….. so passionate…. Very sad for everyone at the time that had to war ….. 😢 ……

[@mcmanpa]

The short film “Sunset” by co-directors Katie Ennis & Gary Jaffe poses the question of personal v public responsibility. The two actors, Niccolo Walsh as Peter, and Ryan Trout as Arnie, are in the full flush of their nascent love affair, begun around the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor in WW2. The film opens with an extract from a speech given in May 1942 by FDR’s VP, Henry A. Wallace, in which he talks of the Common Man, his rights and his duties. Arnie feels no obligation to a country that rejects him as a gay man and is happy to coach his lover how to use his homosexuality to evade the draft and to remain with him. Peter, on the other hand, like many other gay men and women, responds to the call and sees his enlistment in part as a way of proving his worth as a gay man to his country. The dynamic of this interaction plays out as Arnie uses whatever emotional trick and piece of leverage he can to prick his lover into a wounded response and to stay together. The tension and imbalance is added to by the directors casting against stereotype: a dominant drag artist v. a tall submissive. Beautifully art directed, photographed and edited, and with persuasive performances by both actors, the victory in the end goes to love.

[@garyjaffe]

Thank you for the excellent analysis! You nailed it.

[@jbarnard2591]

excellent on all levels

[@dfan1358]

When he said not yet 😭😭

[@FranciscoSantos-ss3uq]

felicidades , e muitos carinhos...! gostei.🔷💙💚💙🔷💙💚💙🔷💙💚💙🔷💙💚💙🔷💙💚💙🔷🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@jgingram]

Brilliant!!!

[@missricka6801]

For all gay men and women and those of us who are neither, I don't know how they endure when their lovers/boyfriends, girlfriends/husbands.wives go off to war.

[@justinhenderson36]

This is beautiful.

[@andrelabelle1746]

great

[@otismack]

What an extremely moving and well acted film. So sad.

[@samirsigneu3920]

Muito bom: roteiro incrível, direção de arte maravilhosa, direção sensível, trilha sonora envolvente e atuações profundas e sensíveis! Amei!

[@ajjockboy]

Beautiful.

[@MotherAlsaud]

It’s really sad a lot of men boys really did think that they were fighting for freedom victory in the New World most of them died shortly after they reached the battlefield they died in a cold field on a wet night that smelled of blood many memories many creations many love stories many promises that will never be known or never be remembered will never get to be shared May all the lost souls World War II Rest In Peace

[@RosaMartins-f5j]

Estou amando esse romance os rapazes são bonitos obrigada b dia sou do Brasil traduz na minha língua por favor eu amo as séries ❤❤🎉🎉

[@asheeqtorres7256]

Every time it says 2 Directors, I wonder which one of them was killed by the other. JK, directing is a bitch but also worth it

[@garyjaffe]

I assure you Katie and I are both still alive and still working together! We have a new short coming out soon!

[@gracebrown9398]

Wow this vidio is amazing

[@helenagushiken2447]

E impressionante a qualidade sendo um curta,a capa idade de sintetizar um turbilhão de emoções e dramas de uma época tão conturbada como a 2 guerra,na ótica de um casal gay!? Também tocante e a química quase q insana dos atores! Se virasse um longa metragem seria ótimo.

[@Caocao8888]

Who knew that Central Park queens were so literate? The casting director forgot that opposites attract. These two femmes create no sparks.

[@aliridho2978]

make part 2 please

[@kenstofft3230]

Extremely well done.

[@kenstofft3230]

Thanks, G