(Screengrab from MTube’s Official YouTube Account)
Some love stories are never allowed to bloom. Lilies Not for Me, the new period drama directed by Will Seefried, takes viewers back to 1920s England, where being gay was seen as a condition to be “cured” rather than embraced.
The story follows Owen James (played by actor Fionn O’Shea), a gay writer who is forcibly placed into a medical institution designed to rid him of his “affliction.” In the facility, Owen is subjected to a series of degrading treatments, including mandatory supervised outings with Nurse Dorothy (played by actress Erin Kellyman)—a woman tasked with guiding him toward a “proper” and “normal” heterosexual life. The goal is clear: erase any trace of Owen’s same-sex desires and reshape him into a man society deems acceptable.
But as Owen undergoes these so-called treatments, memories of a past love haunt him. His romance with Theodore (Louis Hofmann), a boy he once adored, lingers in his mind as he struggles with the impossible choice between compliance and authenticity. Can love truly be erased, or will Owen find the strength to resist the forces trying to reshape his identity?
The film boasts a stellar cast, with Fionn O’Shea (Dating Amber, Normal People) delivering a heartbreaking and nuanced performance as Owen. Louis Hofmann (Dark, Land of Mine) brings depth and warmth to the role of Theodore, while Erin Kellyman (Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) plays the conflicted Nurse Dorothy, who begins to question the institution’s cruel practices.
Supporting roles include Robert Aramayo (who plays the role of Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Jodi Balfour (For All Mankind), who add further emotional weight to this devastating yet powerful story.
Lilies Not for Me made its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 21, 2024, where it received critical acclaim for its unflinching storytelling and powerful performances. Following its festival run, the film is set for a Video on Demand (VOD) release on April 2025, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Viewers eager to witness this gripping exploration of historical queer oppression and resilience should stay tuned for more announcements. Whether you’re a fan of historical dramas or LGBTQ+ cinema, Lilies Not for Me is a film that demands to be seen.
Happy viewing!
Looks beautiful and intense! Anyone know what platform Gravitas Pictures uses to release new films in the U.S.?
I kind of prefer the French title: “Les fleurs du Silence”.
The title in French has that “je ne sais quoi”. Whether the film has it, it is to be seen?
“savoir-faire,” too?