Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story

Most [gay] men [of a certain age] know of the tragedy that befell Justin Fashanu.

This film attempts [and succeeds] to shed light upon the tragedy that is suicide. Be warned, it's not pretty. It is not pretty in the slightest!

The reportage - at the time - was vague and sensational: Footballer commits suicide! First openly gay footballer: Dead!

The presumption being that homophobia and racism were the ingredients to his death. Indeed, they were...but, there were other factors, more sinister! Think about it, more sinister than homophobia and racism!?!

Reputations are not just tarnished here...they are annihilated.

Pearl - the mother - tries to justify why she abandoned her sons, leaving them in an orphanage. It's not pretty.

Betty Jackson - foster mother - reluctant, at first, agreed to take the brothers in because she loved the texture of their skin - she actually said that!!!

Footballing success, resentful sibling rivalry, homophobia, racism...and, an insatiable thirst for money, glory and rentboys...all contributed to Fashanu's downfall.

Footballing failure, the continued resentment for his brother, blackmail, born-again christianity, scandal, homophobia, racism...and, that an unquenchable hunger for money, glory and young boys...these all cemented his plunge from grace. Plus...a warrant for his arrest, for first-degree and second-degree sexual assaults, made him flee America.

His narcissism was off-the-scale...which led to an unavoidable terminal velocity. In an east London garage, at the age of 37...he ended his unpleasant life, unpleasantly...avoiding terrestrial justice!

What a film...saturated with crocodile tears, transparent lies and unpalatable truths. It does not judge, it doesn't need to...all the culprits are here...on-screen singing like canaries about their one-time cock-of-the-walk!

It's not pretty.

Trailer...