Inspired by the experiences of filmmaker Matthew Fifer and lead actor Sheldon D. Brown, Cicada is an intensely personal exploration of trauma, vulnerability, love, and the complexities of navigating a relationships.

Fifer writes, directs, and stars as Ben. Ben is a young guy, figuring himself out while having a lot of transactional sex. He surprises himself when he falls hard for the still-closeted Sam (Brown), who is dealing with his own wounds – both physical and psychological.

Written and directed by Matthew Fifer, who also stars, the cast includes Sheldon Brown, Cobie Smulders, Sandra Bauleo, Michael Potts, Scott Adsit, and Bowen Yang.

It’s a dialogue-driven film, but there’s also moments of stillness and silence that draws us into the emotions that the men are struggling with.

This is Fifer’s first feature-length production as a filmmaker, and his work here is quite remarkable – given that he was on both sides of the camera, the performance he delivers is raw, moving, and authentic. He also manages to draw the various strands of this narrative together, delivering a watchable story with a satisfying conclusion.

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