| Were the World Mine | |
|---|---|
 Promotional film poster | |
| Directed by | Tom Gustafson |
| Written by | Tom Gustafson Cory James Krueckeberg |
| Produced by | Tom Gustafson Cory James Krueckeberg Peter Sterling |
| Starring | Tanner Cohen Wendy Robie Judy McLane Zelda Williams Jill Larson Ricky Goldman Nathaniel David Becker Christian Stolte David Darlow |
| Cinematography | Kira Kelly |
| Edited by | Jennifer Lilly |
| Music by | Jessica Fogle(Songs) Tim Sandusky(Score) |
Production company | The Group Entertainment |
| Distributed by | SPEAKproductions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $123,789[1] |
Were the World Mine is a 2008romanticmusicalfantasy film directed by Tom Gustafson, written by Gustafson and Cory James Krueckeberg, and starringTanner Cohen,Wendy Robie, Judy McLane,Zelda Williams,Jill Larson, Ricky Goldman, Nathaniel David Becker,Christian Stolte, and David Darlow.
The film is a story of gay empowerment, inspired byShakespeare'sA Midsummer Night's Dream.
Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is an openly gay student at a private boys' school. Although now in his senior year, he is still persecuted by the aggressiverugby team, on whose captain, Jonathon (Nathaniel David Becker), he has a crush. Timothy lives with his mother, Donna (Judy McLane), who is struggling with her son'ssexuality and with getting a job, and his father who is not a part of his life.
Timothy is cast asPuck in the senior production ofA Midsummer Night's Dream. While reviewing his lines, he discovers the recipe for creating the flowerlove-in-idleness. Timothy uses the flower to have thehomophobic town take a "walk in his shoes". The entire town is thrown into chaos as previously heterosexual community members fall in love with their same-sex friends, bosses, and co-workers: whomever they first saw after being sprayed by the flower. The school drama teacher, Ms. Tebbit (Wendy Robie), guides Timothy towards the question of whether his actions have caused more harm than good.
The film is a feature-length version of director Gustafson's 2003 short film,Fairies, which also stars Wendy Robie. The film was executive produced byGill Holland, in association with The Group Entertainment.
Were the World Mine has played or was scheduled to play many film festivals in prominent slots in 2008. Awards already won include: Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at theFlorida Film Festival; Best Music in a Narrative Film at theNashville Film Festival; Best LGBT Feature Film at theNashville Film Festival; and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Turin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.Were the World Mine screened at theFrameline Film Festival in San Francisco on June 27, 2008, and at theTokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival on July 11, 2008. The film opened the Gay & Lesbian Film Festival inAlbuquerque, New Mexico, on September 26, 2008, and closed theReel Affirmations festival in Washington, D.C., on October 26, 2008. It was presented in November 2008 at the Gay/Lesbian Film Festival QUEERSICHT inBern andSwitzerland. The film was screened as the opening night gala at the 2009Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Were the World Mine had alimited release in North American theaters on November 21, 2008.[2]
The film holds a 71% rating onRotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews.[3]
TheWere the World Mine original soundtrack album was released on CD on November 11, 2008, byPS Classics. The movie also features several songs used prominently in the film that were not included on the PS Classics soundtrack release, including "Relax, Take It Easy" byMika, "The Magic Position" byPatrick Wolf and "Rock Star" by The Guts – sung byTanner Cohen.[4]
The Shakespearean podcast No Holds Bard uses "Pyramus and Thisbe" as their theme music.[5]
Were the World Mine was released on DVD in Europe on May 18, and in North America on June 9, 2008.