Shame // Less

Shame // Less is an artistic response to the findings of “Culture and Sexual Risk: An Ethnographic Analysis of Gay Male ‘Sexual Worlds’ in Ireland Today,” funded by an Irish Research Council COALESCE/Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme Award (PI: Thomas Strong, Maynooth University).

Shot in Dublin’s iconic Boilerhouse sauna, Shame // Less transports the viewer on a kaleidoscopic cruise of Dublin’s queer underbelly, featuring the scintillating talents of Lady K, Karl Hayden, Luis Noguera, Pradeep Mahadeshwar, Goblins Goblins Goblins, Vickey Curtis, Day Magee, Attracta Tension, Osaro and Meg Woods.
Shame // Less invites you to peer through the glory hole of a post-Marriage Equality, post-Repeal, post-Twink answering machine message world and to see if you like it like that. Does that feel good? How about there? Careful now, you might even enjoy it.

Shame // Less initially premiered for a limited run online during Dublin Pride, 2021 and then played to sold out screening in the Irish Film Institute as part of GAZE International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, 2021. In 2022, Shame // Less was also selected as one of the opening films of the 34th Galway Film Fleadh.


Creative direction/programming: Stephen Quinn

Direction/photography: Luke Faulkner and Noel Donnellon

Conception/production: Thomas Strong and Andrew Leavitt

Sound: Mathew Thomson

Featuring: Stefan Fae, Lady K, Luis Nogera, Pradeep Mahadeshwar, Goblins Goblins Goblins, Vickey Curtis, Day Magee, Andrew Deering, Meg Woods, Osaro and Karl Hayden.


Praise for Shame // Less:

“Shame enforced through legislation and doctrine has stripped people of rights, family, identity, healthcare and information. This new film SHAME // LESS by Stefan Fae is glorious defiance against an ongoing legacy.” - Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame

“Thoughtful, powerful, candid and entertaining.” - Leagues O’Toole, Foggy Notions

Press links for Shame // Less:

GCN interview:

https://gcn.ie/shame-less-hot-new-queer-variety-showcase-streaming-live-dublins-boilerhouse/

GCN feature:

https://gcn.ie/gcn-gaze-series-filmmaker-qas/