#michael akers

[yourdailyqueer]

Michael Akers

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

DOB: 5 September 1970  

Ethnicity: White

Occupation: Director, screenwriter, film editor, producer

[unitedgaynetwork]

United Gay Network turned 3 today!

[gloryfic]

The color of auras, the spirit and soul are hidden beneath though some can;t help but show, they're lovely and lively, they spring out like rays, the golden, the hues the rainbow haze...

~Glory

[eternaldivas]

Audrey Hepburn by Michael Akers

[eternaldivas]

Hollywood Divas by Michael Akers

Vivien Leigh

Marilyn Monroe

Elizabeth Taylor

Lauren Bacall

[unitedgaynetwork]

[unitedgaynetwork]

A brief history of #UnitedGayNetwork

Michael Akers and Sandon Berg have consistently pushed the boundaries for the gay genre of independent films. GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN explored the age old question of homosexuality as a biological vs. environmental phenomenon. Would a gay man who forgets his past still be gay--and, in this case, would a closeted gay man who lost the shackles of the past find his way, at last, to the truth? Having made their feature-film debut and met with resounding success in the film-festival circuit, the filmmaker duo crossed over into spoof territory, for MATRIMONIUM, about a "reality" show based on lies and stereotypes in a mass-media world willing to turn the serious matter of same-sex marriage into a money-making hoax. The 2006 movie PHOENIX was inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni's 1961 classic L'Avventura. It naturally alters the story into a modern 'gay twist'. Dylan is a young nurse, with a good job and a nice apartment near the beach, where he surfs everyday, and he thinks he has found true love in Ken, a mysterious real-estate agent who is sweet and passionate with Dylan, but always has an out-of-town business meeting whenever it's time to get serious. When Ken jets off, ostensibly to Phoenix, Dylan is left feeling hurt and disappointed, again, but this time he decides to 'surprise' Ken by meeting him in Phoenix. Instead of surprising Ken, however, he ends up being shocked to find Ken's longtime partner, Demetrius, and the two of them pair up to learn the truth about their mutual lover. UGN's latest film, MORGAN, shakes things up yet again. Morgan Oliver is an athletic, outgoing, fun-spirited young man. A bartender by profession, he's also a bicycle racer, until an accident on a tricky turn in Central Park renders him paralyzed. Now the gregarious, ambitious young man has to learn to live in a wheelchair. His life as he knew it being over, he sinks into an abyss of depression. A sliver of sunshine comes in the form of Dean Kagen, a handsome basketball player with a tantalizing grin. When Morgan was a "legger" he'd have, no doubt, been all eagerness and confidence on his first dates with Dean. But now things are totally different. He's in a wheelchair, and being a paraplegic, he can't even have an erection. Morgan's story explores truths about society's prejudices, particularly strong in the very image-conscious lgbt community. Akers and Berg have addressed in their films several prevalent issues that face the lives of gay men, and amazingly, have done so without succumbing to stereotypes and cliches. They have woven their gay characters into classic storylines, thus giving an element of normalcy to homosexuality seldom seen in mainstream cinema.

--Ashley Rovira

[unitedgaynetwork]

A Fun And Endearing Trek ... It's great to see such an endearing movie that doesn't rely on the usual gay storylines of AIDS, coming out, or campy drag queens. Wearing it's heart on its sleave, "Gone, But Not Forgotten" is a charming, adult, romantic love story with a touch of mystery from writer, director, producer, and editor Michael D. Akers. This guy does it all and on a shoestring budget! But with an intriguing story and a fine cast it's first class all the way! Shot on digital video, which does give it a home video feel to it and takes some getting used to, but once you settle in, it's an enjoyable trek. Shot in and around Yosemite National Park the story revolves around an openly gay forest ranger named Drew (Aaron Orr) who's rescued a young man, Mark (Matthew Montgomery), from an accident that leaves him with amnesia in a smalltown hospital. Drew takes him "under his wing", they develop a friendship, and ultimately a relationship. But as the story unfolds and Mark begins to remember his past, through a series of flashbacks to what led up to his accident, he begins to question who he is and where he is headed. Is he gay or straight? Will he stay with Drew or go back to his previous life, whatever that may be? Mark's not the only one with secrets but Drew holds some of his own as well regarding his past and his relationship with his brother. They're all revealed as the story continues and ultimately come together in a satisfying ending. Rounding out the film are some supporting roles played by Joel Bryant as Drew's estranged brother Paul, Brenda Lasker as the sister-in-law and Bryna Weiss as Dr. Mary Williams. There are some moments that seemed a bit over-the-top and somewhat unbelievable, but as a first time effort Michael Akers has done a fine job with his ensemble cast. But it's the male leads that drew me in and found their relationship sweet and charming. The culmination between the two comes in the form of one of the best, most intimate, sex scenes I've seen and is most tastefully done. The questions the story posed were also intriguing with regards to amnesia, sexual orientation and past memories. Intriguing. It's not without its flaws but overall I really enjoyed this independent film and look forward to Mr. Akers next directorial effort. Grab a big bowl of popcorn, settle back on your couch and enjoy!

Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010