2025 SIPFF Opening Film

K | 19 | G | AP

Pillion

“A drama that explores a BDSM relationship with honesty and nuance.” 

Following its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film received rave reviews from major international outlets—and now makes its Asian premiere. On screen, love, power, and desire intertwine in a relationship that transcends romance. 

Selected as the Opening Film of this year’s Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival, Pillion is the feature debut of Harry LIGHTON, adapted from British author Adam Mars-Jones’s novel Box Hill. The film, which won the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes, explores the dynamics of dominance and submission through a quiet yet unsettling love story.

The story follows Colin (Harry MELLING), a reserved young man living with his ailing mother on the outskirts of London. His uneventful life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Ray (Alexander SKARSGÅRD), the charismatic leader of a motorcycle club. Drawn into Ray’s orbit, Colin becomes both participant and observer in a relationship defined by control, vulnerability, and erotic power. The title Pillion, meaning the rear seat of a motorcycle, serves as a metaphor for the delicate balance between love and submission, freedom and surrender.

When Colin is taken under Ray’s influence, their connection evolves into an intense interplay of affection and domination. Ray refuses to keep Colin merely as a sexual partner, extending his control into every aspect of Colin’s life. Through this process, Colin experiences a complex mix of obedience and liberation, discovering parts of himself he never knew existed.

Premiering at Cannes, Pillion was met with critical acclaim: The Hollywood Reporter praised it as “a love story that’s unfamiliar yet never uncomfortable, where humor and sensuality intersect,” while The Guardian hailed it as “a luminous character study set against the backdrop of a biker romance.” The film’s blend of British wit, emotional restraint, and erotic tension captivated both critics and audiences alike.

Pillion also stands out for its striking performances. Harry MELLING, known globally for his role as Dudley in the Harry Potter series, delivers a subtle yet transformative portrayal of Colin, a man discovering his desires and identity through submission. Alexander SKARSGÅRD, acclaimed for his performances in True Blood and Big Little Lies, embodies Ray with a commanding yet deeply human presence, expanding his acting range once again.

Programmer Dave KIM of the Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival remarked, “Pillion is not merely a romance or a subcultural drama; it’s a sharp yet humorous exploration of power dynamics and self-identity within human relationships. Introducing this globally acclaimed work to Korean audiences as our Opening Film is a true delight.” He added, “Audiences will feel the vibration of the motorcycle engines—and the trembling of love and desire colliding—right there in the theater.”

Dir.  Harry LIGHTON | UK | 2025 | 107min | Color | Drama | English

Schedule

Synopsis

Colin, a timid young man, crosses paths with Ray, the enigmatic leader of a biker gang. Drawn into a charged relationship that blurs the lines between dominance and submission, he follows Ray deep into his world. On a camping trip with Ray and his gang, Colin encounters strange yet exhilarating experiences that force him to confront his repressed desires and identity. Caught between love and power, fear and liberation, how far will Colin allow himself to go?

Film Festival

2025 Cannes Film Festival