I Do - available from Peccadillo Pictures on from Monday 28 October. Details on how to buy your copy (or win one!) are at the bottom of the article. I Do is an LGBT film that stands out, in terms of its quality and the way it focuses on a gay issue without over doing the gayness of it.
Whilst looking after his niece and sister-in-law (Alicia Witt), Jack (David W. Ross from 90s boy band, Bad Boys Inc) a British gay man living in in New York City, finds himself at risk of losing his family when his work visa is denied. Threatened with deportation he has to compromise his ideals in order stay in the USA and enters into a marriage of convenience with his lesbian best friend, Ali (THE SOPRANOS star, Jamie-Lynn Sigler). The couple quickly wed but have to prove the validity of their marriage to the authorities.
Whilst Jack and Ali live a contented married life, Jack meets the Spanish, Mano (Maurice Compte) and they fall madly in love with each other.
Because of this whirlwind romance Ali feels that her new husband is neglecting her and decides that she wants to leave. What occurs is a revelation that Jack had never considered; his gay relationship is not recognised in the eyes of American federal law.
The themes of I Do are universal, which is why the film has such wide appeal. It's not a political drama about equal marriage, it's not a gay romance film. It's about the complications within families and situations where there are children, in-laws, death and new love. Typically, the new relationship has a giant barrier to overcome if it is going to be successful. Through these complexities, Ross is able to explore the irritatingly frustrating DOMA laws that affected the ability for same sex couples to apply for green cards based on their relationship status.David W Ross says "I Do started off life as a broad gay comedy." However as the story developed, and real experiences, stories of gay couples' green card dilemmas became known to Ross, including a personal experience of losing a partner back to the UK, the drama unfolded.
He says "I wanted to show a "slice of life" of the gay experience without glossing over anything. I was very vocal during the making of the film to make sure we stayed on track. After working with and meeting so many couples effected by the Defense Of Marriage Act I thought it would do them and the issue a disservice if we went the brightly-lit comedy route."
Additionally, there was a clear lack of understanding within the LGBTI community and outside it, when it came to green card rules and federal law. Although at the time of filming, gay marriage was legal in some states, there was not a federal level recognition of the relationship meaning it did not qualify for green card acceptance.
Did the film have a role to play in the overturning of DOMA legislation? Ross jokes that "Some of my twitter folks thought perhaps the Supreme Court
justices saw the film which swayed their vote. I'd love to think the film was
seen by people in Washington."
However it's more likely that the timing was right for the film, as Ross remarks, "I think the tide was turning and I DO now fits
nicely in a place where people can see why change was necessary. Why marriage
equality is so important. how it effects everyone, not just the couple
desperate to stay together. There is a global struggle for LGBTI people, let's
not forget."
From the early idea to a 2013 release, there was a 9 year labour-of-love journey for Ross and his team. It's a independent film and as producer Ross had to work hard to generate funding for the production. "I started the original Kickstarter in February 14th 2011. Romantic fool that I am. My dream was to have the film out by the end of 2012 for the run up to the presidential elections. We were in festivals at that time.... I really wanted this story to be told so there was a documentation of how gay people were treated in America."
The work isn't over yet as I Do is still touring festivals and gearing up for it's UK release.
Ross is also planning the next feature, which may go into production next year, as well as exploring options for more acting roles, and holding onto a desire to do some with in the UK too.
From the early idea to a 2013 release, there was a 9 year labour-of-love journey for Ross and his team. It's a independent film and as producer Ross had to work hard to generate funding for the production. "I started the original Kickstarter in February 14th 2011. Romantic fool that I am. My dream was to have the film out by the end of 2012 for the run up to the presidential elections. We were in festivals at that time.... I really wanted this story to be told so there was a documentation of how gay people were treated in America."
The work isn't over yet as I Do is still touring festivals and gearing up for it's UK release.
Ross is also planning the next feature, which may go into production next year, as well as exploring options for more acting roles, and holding onto a desire to do some with in the UK too.
Available: Amazon & Video on Demand from Monday 28 October.
WIN: Visit our competition page and answer 'What boy band was David W Ross, writer, producer and star of I Do a member of in the 1990s?'
