Directed by Everett Lewis US, 2001, 16 mm, 90 min South Florida Premiere

Jackson's a lanky, brooding young queer who works at Skid Row Records and skateboards into the concrete culvert of the LA River to write poetry. Every day, he says, he's in love with ten different people. This morning it's Billy, a Leif Garret-lookalike in white leather pants that he met at an orgy. But this afternoon, it's his strapping cousin Jed, just off the bus from Iowa. The cousin thing doesn't stop Jackson from falling for Jed hard, and the crush inspires him to write his best poems ever. They're so good that a closet-case rock star named Sonny Spike wants to steal them for his next album. Meanwhile, Jed gets dragged into the desert by a lesbian who strips, body-paints, photographs and screws him. As Jackson pines for Jed, a way-too-preppy stud named Derek swoons for Jackson, incessantly browsing Jackson's record store. This unrequited love-chain is just the beginning of a delirious journey through the LA queer -- punk scene, with a sharp -- witted script and moving performances from a hot (often nude) young cast. The film has the vibrant color of LA streets, there's plenty of dangerous sex and a queer-punk soundtrack with bands like Pansy Division. But underneath all the "edge," filmmaker Everett Lewis -- like his protagonist -- has a romantic heart. Luster, title notwithstanding, is an unforgettable celebration of youthful love.

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