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The Set + introduction by curator Alex Davidson (15*)

Queer 70s

,Cinema 1
A black and white still from The Set, showing a topless man laying in bed with another man laying in his lap.

A naïve young man is chewed up and spat out by Sydney’s high society, participating in an intense fling with another man on his downward spiral. Is he doomed or can he hope for redemption? 

A young designer, Paul (Sean McEuan) has hopes of making it in Syndey’s art world. Adopted as a protégé by a wealthy woman, he struggles to navigate the caustic world of ‘the set’ while discovering his bisexuality after a one-night stand with another man. A more serious affair develops with a closeted, blokey student, Tony (Rod Mullinar), but the relationship turns abusive. Can Paul find happiness in the treacherous world of the set?

The Set is a fascinating, campy curio, made on a shoestring budget. As a snapshot of contemporary Australian attitudes towards queer men, The Set is a valuable time capsule. Although the queer men are, aside from Paul, unsympathetic, the depiction of homosexuality is – relatively – unsensational at a time when gay sex was still illegal in every state and territory in Australia.

Tagged with: Cinema Queer 70s

Please note this film contains outdated depictions of gay and bisexual characters, and references to sexual assault and suicide. 

Film information

Release year: 1970

Country: Australia

Director: Frank Brittain

Runtime: 1hr 42min

‘Impotency, homosexuality, frustration, nymphomania, lesbianism, bedroom antics … you name it … it’s in The Set‘
Melbourne Weekender

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