Watch Winter Kept Us Warm

Winter Kept Us Warm is a 1965 Canadian film directed by David Secter. The film stars John Labow, Henry Tarvainen, and Joy Fielding. The film follows two university students, Paul and Canadian-Swedish Erik, who are exploring their sexuality and their relationship with each other. In one scene, they invite a young woman, Sheila, back to their apartment and engage in a threesome. However, their relationship becomes strained when Erik starts dating a woman, Petra, who he meets at a party. Despite this, Paul and Erik still share a close bond and continue to spend time together.

Winter Kept Us Warm is a landmark film in Canadian cinema, as it was one of the first films to deal explicitly with homosexuality. The film was shot in black and white and has a raw, unpolished feel, which adds to the realism of the story. The film's themes of sexuality, love, and identity are still relevant today, making Winter Kept Us Warm an important film in the history of Canadian cinema.

The characters of Paul and Erik are complex and well-defined. Paul is portrayed as introverted and introspective, while Erik is more outgoing and adventurous. The two actors, John Labow and Henry Tarvainen, give compelling performances, and their chemistry is evident on screen. Joy Fielding, who would later become a well-known writer, has a small supporting role as Sheila, the young woman who joins Paul and Erik in their threesome.

The film also portrays a snapshot of life in Canada during the 1960s. The scenes set on the University of Toronto campus show the protests and activism happening at that time. The film also features shots of the city at night, with its neon signs and bustling streets, which add to the film's gritty, urban atmosphere.

One of the most striking aspects of Winter Kept Us Warm is its frank portrayal of sexuality. The film was released at a time when Canada was still under the strict censorship guidelines of the Motion Picture Association, and films were heavily censored to remove any content deemed offensive or immoral. Winter Kept Us Warm was one of the first Canadian films to receive a controversial classification, which allowed it to be shown in theaters but made it unavailable for wholesale distribution.

Overall, Winter Kept Us Warm is a groundbreaking film that still has relevance today. Its focus on sexuality and identity was ahead of its time, and its frank depiction of homosexuality was groundbreaking for Canadian cinema. The film may be challenging for some viewers, but for anyone looking for an honest and thought-provoking portrayal of love and relationships, Winter Kept Us Warm is a must-see.