Breakout writer/director James Sweeney chats with Max about his new indie comedy Straight Up. The film, inspired by personal experiences, is about a young gay brainiac with OCD named Todd (played by Sweeney) who fears loneliness and, while trying to leave his ghosts behind, he meets Rory, a young woman with insecurities, fears and frustrations. He enters a romantic - yet non-physical - relationship with Rory as he begins to question his sexual identity.
Sweeney has been nominated for Best First Screenplay for Straight Up at this year's Film Independent Spirit Awards. Past recipients of this award have included David O. Russell, Darren Aronofsky, Charlie Kaufman, Tom McCarthy, Diablo Cody, Dustin Lance Black, Lena Dunham, and Bo Burnham. Although not an original on the streamer, Straight Up is now available to stream on Netflix.
