Documentary

Sashay to Hell

Created for BBC Three in collaboration with the popular podcast A Gay and A NonGay, the documentary Sashay to Hell dives into the metal scene to explore its attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people. It was produced to challenge perceptions and aims to foster understanding within both the metal music and LGBTQ+ communities.

In this short film, we follow podcast hosts Dan and James as they venture into the heart of the metal world. As an outsider to the scene, James is introduced to a community that’s often stereotyped yet rarely understood by those outside of it. Throughout the festival, Dan showcases the spirit of the metal community, inviting James to experience the camaraderie within this culture. The film poses a central question: can James overcome his preconceptions and leave with a new perspective on metal fans and their acceptance of LGBTQ+ people?

Dan from the team at Gaff Studio served as the director of photography, bringing his expertise and creative vision to capture the energy and atmosphere of the Bloodstock festival, one of the UK’s biggest metal events. With his cinematic eye, each shot captures the intensity of the live performances and the unique personalities within the crowd. By taking an honest and often humorous approach, Sashay to Hell shines a light on the intersections of music, identity and acceptance and captures the true essence of the metal scene, showing that it’s a space where people from all walks of life can come together.