Cicada is the story of two men whom, in healing each other, are able to heal themselves.

Recently single and ready to mingle Ben (Matthew Fifer) is “back on the dick” and seemingly intent on shagging his way through New York City. 

As he turns heads left, right and centre he comes to meet Sam (Sheldon D. Brown) at a Brooklyn bookstore. Cue the meet cute, the two strike up an instant chemistry as they flirt over everyone’s favourite The Hungry Caterpillar.

For those who are familiar with Weekend and Boy Meets Boy there’s a sense of deja vu at the start of the story. Two men meet by chance before galavanting around a city somewhere in that sub-genre world of short-lived, whirlwind romances. 

What sets Cicada apart though is that it isn’t set over one day, or even over a weekend. The two characters have much more to explore. Asking each other those all too familiar questions like “When did you know?” before unraveling some pretty heavy issues. 

Directed by Matthew Fifer and Kieran Mulcare, Cicada is a collaboration of co-writers Fifer and Brown, who also both play the lead roles.

The two used their own real life traumas as a foundation for the film, as discussed in a live Q&A following Peccadillo Pictures screening of Cicada.

Hypochondriac Ben slowly begins to recover from the abuse he suffered as a child, while Sam moves through the trauma of being left for dead after a drive by shooting.

As the the relationship between the two men progresses, each begin to mend in their own way. Sam’s story sees him approaching the idea of coming out to his loving father. And with a little help from Sam and an incredibly unorthodox therapist (Cobie Smulders) Ben is finally able to open up about his childhood traumas.

The themes of coming out, post traumatic stress disorder and ultimately, beginning to heal are as genuine as they come. 

“We have to make this feel authentic.” – Sheldon D. Brown 

Cicada delves into cultural differences which can often be overlooked in cinema. 

Ben and Sam are an interracial couple and the film doesn’t shy away from pressures and challenges that can come from this. When meeting Ben’s friends, Sam feels like “the other” and questions whether Ben is “just trying to diversify” himself.

Breaking the silence of bisexual men on screen. 

A largely under-represented subculture of the queer community, bisexual men are often disregarded in favour of men who identify as gay. At the start of the film, Ben is sexually adrift as he moves from body to body. Various partners are seen here but the multiple genders of Ben’s nameless partners make no effort to pull focus.

A long awaited story of blossoming romance and recovery, worthy of multiple watches. Cicada is a heart warming feast for the eyes and for the soul.