Openly gay director and screenwriter Dan Castle’s feature debut is a coming-of-age story that centres on three brothers who share little except for their fraternal bond and the weight of expectation. Seventeen-year-old Jesse (Lachlan Buchanan, pictures below) is a naturally gifted athlete with a dream of winning the Junior Surf Pro championships but he lives in the shadow of his older half-brother Victor’s (Reshad Strik) failure to become surfing’s Next Big Thing. Meanwhile, Jesse’s geeky fraternal twin brother Fergus (Xavier Samuel) just wants to fit in. He is a social outcast with dyed hair, an all-black wardrobe and an aversion to the sun and surf. When Fergus spies Jesse’s surfing buddy, Andy (Kirk Jenkins), outside their house, Fergus suddenly develops an interest in surfing. In order to be allowed to stay away from home overnight, Jesse invites his brother to join him and his friends on a surf weekend up the coast. The opportunity to spend time with Andy is too good for Fergus to pass up. While everyone initially continues to mock him, Fergus stands his ground and starts to earn the group’s respect. He also begins to develop a closeness with Andy that perfectly captures the youthful feeling of attraction - when you aren’t sure whether the other person feels the same way, but your desire to find out makes you fearless.

NewCastle, starring Lachlan Buchanan, Xavier Samuel, Kirk Jenkins, Reshad Strik, Anthony Hayes, Joy Smithers, written and directed by Dan Castle screens at
Inside Out, Toronto Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, Tuesday May 20 at 9:45pm. Watch a trailer...
Source Inside Out & Newcastle