In the 1990s, DAVID W ROSS was a member of the boy-band Bad Boys Inc, then memorably made the transition to actor with a key role in Quinceañera (aka Echo Park L.A.). Born in England and now based in Los Angeles, the openly gay and rather ridiculously fit David has written and starred in ‘I Do’, a comedy-drama that explores marriage equality from an unusual angle. Jack Leger had a few questions…
Where did you get the idea for ‘I Do’?
I was working on a gay Green Card comedy script, based on some friends who had been in a Green Card marriage but also because a guy I fell in love with couldn’t stay in the States. It was looking at how American law meant, basically, that if you get married as a gay person you can’t stay in the country. If you’re straight, even if you get married in Vegas having just met each other, you can get full rights, benefits and protections. It was pretty fucked! But I realised this wasn’t at all funny, so the comedy became a drama.
Is your character Jack autobiographical? How are you different?
I’ve always wanted a sense of family, a sense of belonging, not feeling like I was on the outside of my life. I think a lot of gay guys want to stop the cycle of one-night stands and meet “the guy” who you can settle down with, but we’re not shown that’s possible. Maybe now we are a little more, but growing up I never thought being in a long-term relationship, let alone marriage and kids, were possible. What’s different about about Jack? He’s got a great arse!
Yes, and you’re naked a lot in the film. Were any scenes embarrassing to shoot?
I was the most naked of everyone! I do remember the kissing scene by the fridge with Maurice Compte, who plays my boyfriend. He has a wife and kids and was a good sport the whole time. A great actor, too. But it got a little awkward as I think the crew were fucking with us, making us do a lot of takes. He’s a really good kisser, that’s all I’ll say.
The film makes some strong comments on promiscuity.
It’s only an issue if it’s an issue. I think straight people are just as slutty. I’m a little tired of people pointing the finger at the gay community for being so sexual when we’re all doing it. I’ve got some straight married friends who do crazy shit. I think for my character, and for lots of guys out there, fuck-buddies serve a purpose and there’s nothing wrong with it. Some hot, safe sport-fucking is healthy I think! Just don’t get it twisted, you know? Love should always win if that’s your thing. It takes a brave soul to open up to someone.
The film deals with gay marriage but never feels like an issue movie.
I didn’t want to make a gay issue movie. I’d rather stick pins in my eye than watch that sort of thing. I love family dramas and wanted the gay issue to be on the sidelines. I think the trap for “gay filmmakers” is to make films that are too narrow in their scope. We still need our stories to be told, but I think the audience has moved on a little. And I think we as filmmakers need to tell bigger stories. We are all human, after all, and being gay is only part of that story.
• ‘I Do’ is out on DVD and VOD from Peccadillo. http://www.peccapics.com/
