The Stranger In Us

The pleasures and pitfalls of the nocturnal urban landscape serve as the backdrop for THE STRANGER IN US. Anthony (Raphael Barker, “Shortbus”) is an eager small-town newcomer who has just moved to San Francisco to be with his lover Steven. A gentle soul and a poet with no other friends in the city, Anthony is horrified when Steven's behavior turns from loving to violent. Stunned, he tries to find words to describe his longing for stability, and his alienation. Meanwhile, he makes an unlikely acquaintance in Gavin, a young runaway and homeless street hustler. As their friendship blossoms, street-smart Gavin begins to take on a protective role toward vulnerable Anthony. The vérité-style drama jumps back and forth in time, exploring the disjointedness of city life. Shot under the florescent lights of Polk Street and in San Francisco's light-filled interiors, THE STRANGER IN US exudes an erotic beauty. The city is a place where abuse occurs, both on the streets and inside beautifully-appointed apartments. As Anthony finds kindred spirits in other wandering souls, he gathers the strength to take charge of his own happiness. –B.B.