Thirteen or So Minutes (2008)
Thirteen or So Minutes is a provocative 14-minute independent short film directed by William Branden Blinn, exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and male intimacy. The story centers on two ostensibly heterosexual men, Lawrence Jefferies and Hugh Greerey, who meet by chance and experience a transformative encounter that challenges their understanding of their own desires .
Lawrence is portrayed as a confident, free-spirited individual who trusts his instincts, while Hugh struggles with self-consciousness and a deeper existential uncertainty about his identity . Their initial conversation—ostensibly "manly" banter about their attraction to women—takes an unexpected turn when they act on a sudden, mutual physical attraction. Within thirteen minutes, their dynamic shifts from casual acquaintances to an intimate, spontaneous sexual encounter, leaving both men grappling with confusion and introspection .
The aftermath of their interaction highlights their contrasting reactions: one embraces the experience as a moment of genuine connection, while the other wrestles with doubt and societal expectations of heterosexuality . The film’s dialogue, such as Hugh’s bewildered question, “How did this happen?” and Lawrence’s half-joking reply, “We were talking about pussy… and then it happened,” underscores the tension between their actions and their self-perceived identities .
Blinn’s work critiques rigid notions of sexuality, framing heterosexuality as a social construct and examining the fluidity of human desire. The film’s brevity and candid approach have sparked discussions about male vulnerability and the complexity of intimacy in a society that often polices masculinity .
Awarded at the Rainbow Film Festival and NYIIFVF, Thirteen or So Minutes balances humor and drama, offering a concise yet impactful narrative that invites viewers to reflect on the unpredictability of human connections . Critics and audiences have noted its potential for expansion into a feature-length exploration of its characters’ backstories and emotional journeys .
Key Themes: Sexual fluidity, male intimacy, societal norms, self-discovery.
Runtime: 14 minutes .