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.Amos Lassen wrote on 02/21/2011:

“Sebastian”
Gay in 1995
Amos Lassen
“Sebastian” (WaterBearer Films) dates back to 1995 but just now sees its release on DVD. It is the story of a sixteen year old, Sebastian, who behaves strangely He sits alone in his room thinking and not talking. He refuses to tell his parents what the problem is. We see his problem and it is that he suddenly discovers that he has strange feelings for his friend, Ulf. We watch as he accepts himself—that he is gay and that he is in love with his best friend.
Looking at his movie today, we see how far gay cinema has come. As a coming-out story this movie is sweet but it hardly holds its own to what we see now. Nevertheless, it is important in that the movie reflects the way things once were.
The movie is Scandinavian and shows Scandinavia in al of its glory. The important family structure is intact. Sebastian has a younger sister and friends who love him. He leads a regular life. He is on the verge of manhood and therefore locks himself in his room and contemplates the meaning of life. When he discovers that he is gay, he proudly announces it to everyone.
It is hard to be a teenager and it is even harder being a gay teenager. Sebastian is lucky that his parents have no problem with his sexuality. The film makes coming-out look so easy when we know it s not. The actors are believable and when they tell us that it is ok to be gay, we find ourselves not quite agreeing with them. It does show homosexuality as a natural choice or option (when we know it is not quite that easy).
The plot is realistic but it is carried out superficially and full of clichés. The acting is fine but not special. The cinematography is beautiful but there are many scenes that are unnecessary and do not further the plot. The movie may be weak but it does entertain and it does handle the entire issue of sexuality well.

tylersdog wrote on 07/03/2001:

This is a beautiful, small film
about coming out. It has little
"plot" so to speak, but is more
about the state of mind of a
notably beautiful young man who
is having to come to terms with
coming out to his parents, and
to his circle of friends.It is
a film about a state of mind,
fearful and strong at the same
time, as well as exploring the
many reactions of family and
friends. But it is neither mordant
nor depressing, in fact is often
humourous and quietly erotic at
moments. I too wish it were
available on dvd, but I'm not
holding my breath on that...

JEFF13BC (jef13bc@yahoo.com) wrote on 06/11/2001:

"Sebastian" is one of the
sweetest films you'll ever lust
over! The two leads, 'Sebastian'
and 'Ulf', are two of the most
beautiful boys you've ever seen
in your life. Something about that
salty Norwegian air!

What I loved about the film was that
it was one of the few films you can
see and get a sense of life in
Norway! I think the last film that
did that (and that not entirely) was
"Song of Norway," starring my nominee
for Gay Icon Diva, Florence Henderson!

You come away from "Sebastian" with
a real sense of life in this small, narrow
geographic space surrounded by water and Sweden.
The people seem to be more closely connected to
the environment around them than we are here. Not
particularly in anything they talk about or do but
just in the way they seem so comfortable in it,
surrounding themselves with the outdoors whenever
possible, and getting as physically connected to it
as they can (most notably by leaving their shirts open
or stripping down to nothing whenever they can!)!

This connectivity seems to seep its way into other aspects
of everyday life, including parents finding out, or better -
helping their son figure out for himself, that he's gay.

It's still hard to adjust to at first, but it's taken here
with a great deal more understanding and acceptance of the
amazing diversity that surrounds us in the world. It's a
wonderful film that'll put a great big smile on your face and
make you wish you didn't have to imagine what happens next!

Everyone I talk to is just waiting, rather restlessly, for the
powers that be to re-release this little gem on DVD so we can
watch it over and over! Hope that happens soon...