The Act

Amidst the golden dunes of Beach №19, a secret haven for carefree gay men, drama feels out of place. Yet, on this idyllic evening, João encounters a mysterious Russian emigrant whose sorrowful gaze and dramatic presence disrupt the calm. The stranger’s tales of forbidden love and loss cast a haunting shadow, leaving João to wonder: is this a heartfelt confession or a calculated performance?
Beneath the ocean's indifferent gaze, their conversation becomes a tense improvisation, every word and gesture blurring the boundary between truth and illusion. João senses the encounter spiraling toward a tragic climax, unsure if he’s witnessing raw vulnerability or the polished act of a manipulative player.
"The Act" delves into fleeting encounters that linger in the memory, where reality and illusion collide, leaving an indelible mark on those brave enough to face the unknown.

  • Nikita Loyk
    Writer
  • Nikita Loyk
    Director
  • Gregory Melnikov
    Producer
  • Stacy Fox
    Producer
  • Pedro Fontes
    Key Cast
    "João"
  • Ilya Khodyrev
    Key Cast
    "Vanya"
  • Marusya Zykova
    Key Cast
    "Marusya"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 6, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    English, Portuguese, Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, RED Komodo, 4K, DCP
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nikita Loyk

Nikita Loyk is a filmmaker and former journalist now based in Lisbon, Portugal (born in the USSR in 1986). In protest against Putin’s regime and the invasion of Ukraine, he left Russia. With a background in philology and years of experience in journalism, Nikita focuses on human stories and social issues, often highlighting the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, refugees, and women from post-Soviet countries.

His recent documentary works include "Forbidden People", exploring the persecution of trans individuals in Russia, and "Incurable Me", a film about conversion therapy targeting queer people. He also made his narrative debut with the short film "Gekko", which explores the theme of human trafficking. His latest gay short film, The Act, was shot in Portugal.

A self-taught filmmaker, Nikita finds inspiration in European cinema, particularly the works of François Ozon, Michael Haneke, Pedro Almodóvar, and Lars von Trier. He is currently focused on narrative cinema and is looking for new stories that explore human resilience and complexity.

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