Canada
2005
92 minutes
Director: Amnon Buchbinder

A quirky, home-schooled 13-year-old gay boy goes to public school for the first time and develops a major crush on his English teacher.

Life in Nova Scotia can be rough for a 13-year-old boy who’s really different! Emerson’s just had his first wet dream and he’s also just completed his first novel; all 1,000 pages. Emerson Thorsen (Aaron Webber) has always been home-schooled. That is, until his mom decides it might be a good idea if her son learns a little math. Thorsen’s parents live close to the land, and their neo-hippie lifestyle is perfect for their budding queer son. But what’s appreciated about Thorsen at home -- his writing, his outspoken nature and his nude saunas with other boys -- are not so loved at his new middle school; he’s beaten up and teased constantly. His English teacher, Don Grant (Daniel MacIvor), appreciates Emerson’s intelligence even though he’s scorned by the lad. Emerson proposes that they ditch reading “Snowboard Snowjob” in favor of Shakespeare and Mr. Grant readily agrees. But when Emerson passes his favorite teacher a love sonnet, he’s gone too far. Mr. Grant’s not sexually shy, (he passes the long Nova Scotia winters by cruising the local rest stop) but with a 13-year-old student…yikes! With many twists, this sweet-natured Canadian gem is as unpredictable and quirky as its lead character.
– Scott Cranin