Sebastian

Max, a young writer desperate to see his work published, finds himself navigating the fringes of society as he adopts the alias "Sebastian" on the escort platform Dreamy Guys. In Finnish filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä's latest work, the protagonist's struggles are driven by inner demons - his relentless quest for validation and the shame tied to his homosexuality propel him into increasingly risky encounters. The film, like Mäkelä’s acclaimed A Moment in the Reeds (2017), reflects a nuanced exploration of identity and desire within the queer experience. What sets Sebastian apart is its refusal to conform to the typical narratives around sex work in cinema. Instead of falling into a familiar spiral of despair, Mäkelä charts a more complex trajectory. Max’s life may be riddled with reckless choices and professional setbacks, but the film is underpinned by a strikingly hopeful vision. By offering a glimmer of redemption, Mäkelä subverts the conventions of how sex work and queer identity are often portrayed on screen. The result is a bold and emotionally resonant piece of auteur cinema, rich with psychological depth and cultural insight, proving that Mäkelä’s voice remains one to watch on the international stage.