House of Boys 2009

Overview

House of Boys is a 2009 drama and romance film directed by Jean-Claude Schlim, who also wrote the screenplay. This German-Luxembourgish production is set in 1984 and follows the story of Frank, a determined English teenager who runs away from high school to seek an alternative lifestyle in Amsterdam. Upon arriving in the city, Frank finds employment and a home at a venue called the House of Boys, which functions as both a bar and a brothel. Managed by a strict Madame, the establishment serves as a hub for Frank, who transitions from working as a barman to performing as an on-stage dancer. During his time there, he enters into a relationship with one of his housemates, a man named Jake. The narrative explores the atmosphere of the gay cabaret scene, characterized by wild parties and sexual openness. However, the emergence of the AIDS epidemic casts a shadow over Frank and his tight-knit group of friends, leading to personal struggles as he faces the challenges of a new diagnosis.