Swoon is a 1992 American crime drama film written, directed, and edited by Tom Kalin in his feature directorial debut. It stars Craig Chester and Daniel Schlachet, with Michael Kirby, Michael Stumm, and Ron Vawter in supporting roles. It recounts the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, focusing more on the homosexuality of the killers than other films based on the case. Swoon is considered an integral part of the New Queer Cinema movement.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 1992, where it won Best Cinematography. It was theatrically released in the United States on September 11, 1992, by Fine Line Features. It won two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and received four Independent Spirit Award nominations.
Plot
A dramatization of the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder of 1924.
Cast
Daniel Schlachet as Richard Loeb
Craig Chester as Nathan Leopold Jr. Ron Vawter as State's Attorney Crowe Michael Kirby as Detective Savage Michael Stumm as Doctor Bowman Valda Z. Drabla as Germaine Reinhardt Natalie Stanford as Susan Lurie Glenn Backes as James Day
Awards
1992 Berlin International Film Festival - Caligari Film Award, Best Feature - Tom Kalin 1992 Sundance Film Festival - Cinematography Award (Dramatic) - Ellen Kuras, nominated for Grand Jury Prize 1993 Independent Spirit Awards - Nominated for Best Cinematography (Ellen Kuras), Best Director (Tom Kalin), Best First Feature, and Best Male Lead (Craig Chester) 1992 Gotham Awards - Open Palm Award - Tom Kalin 1992 Stockholm International Film Festival - FIPRESCI Prize for Best Feature, Audience Award 1993 Fantasporto - Directors' Week Award - Tom Kalin