By Gary M. Kramer–
Somos tr3s/We Are Thr3e, now out on DVD, is out gay Argentine writer/director Marcelo Briem Stamm’s sweet drama about the relationship that develops between Ana (Flor Dragonetti), a divorced web designer, Nacho (Carlos Etchévers), a banker, and the bisexual Sebastián (Juan Manuel Martino), a bartender who is attracted to them both. The trio meets at a party and enjoys a chaste night together. A week later, they spend the weekend at a country house that Sebastián’s friend owns where they discuss—then act on—having a threesome. How the characters navigate the challenges and pleasures of this polyamorous relationship forms the basis of this low-key film.
In a recent interview with me for the San Francisco Bay Times, Stamm and Martino discussed their thoughts on labels, relationships and Somos tr3s.
Gary M. Kramer: The guys in Somos tr3s are inclined to describe themselves as bisexual. However, it seems that labels are less important these days, so I’m curious about how you define your sexuality and what your thoughts are on labeling sexuality, vis-a-vis the film.
Marcelo Briem Stamm: I totally agree that labels are out in this century. You can define yourself or others as you feel or prefer. Then things may change. It is all about falling in love or even having a crush on people with whom you have a connection, regardless of labels. Right now, I would say I am gay.
Juan Manuel Martino: I don’t believe in labels. For me, sexual identity—or religion, or race or social background—does not define a person. I have a connection with people regarding their human values and chemistry. I am straight.
Gary M. Kramer: The film argues for a non-conventional relationship. What can you say about the dynamics of a threesome?
Marcelo Briem Stamm: A threesome can be refreshing like a cocktail, even if you are single or in a relationship. In terms of the movie, we talk about all kinds of non-conventional relationships—the ones that work well between people who are truly in love, but don’t match with the society rules. This is the main point; Nacho, Ana and Sebastian feel connected, discarding labels, but their main problem is: Will their relationship, which is not standard among their social circle, survive?
Juan Manuel Martino: Thinking specifically as Sebastian, a bisexual guy, the dynamic of this threesome works really well. The only concern is that one of the lovers does not feel the same as the other. If they all feel the same, and it is all equal—as in the film—then it is really good, because you will never get bored and you can explore many other things with your partners in the relationship.
Gary M. Kramer: Somos tr3s certainly encourages threesomes and shows how some of the issues that challenge the lovers are handled. What do you think are the drawbacks of being in a relationship that can be tricky to maintain?
Marcelo Briem Stamm: Nacho says, “A classic relationship between two people, it is just difficult; being three will be much more complicated.” But in terms of the dynamic of that particular relationship, they have the same drawbacks of any other. Of course, trust is super important, but it is important and essential for any kind of relationship.
Juan Manuel Martino: This film presents a very interesting opinion about trust, because Nacho, Ana and Sebastian know that if one of them is away, it is possible that the other two may be together—and that will be fine, because there is a lot of trust. They are in an emotional relationship. And when they are all together, it is really special and unique.
Gary M. Kramer: Marcelo, you frame the three lovers in different ways so no one character is always in the center of the frame/relationship. Did you want to deliberately “balance” things?
Marcelo Briem Stamm: I was focused on a relationship that does not have that kind of drama. I watched lots of movies about threesomes and always found that they were never really equal. I was like a guy who was into a girl, and then that girl was into the other guy and that guy was into the guy, and then, in some way, when they were together, there were lots of “negotiations.” I wanted to introduce a relationship without labels, where the characters fall in love equally and they have to decide if the relationship will work—or they will surrender to the norms of society. The key is at the end.
Gary M. Kramer: There is only one sex scene in the film. This emphasizes not the sex but the love and emotions. Can you talk about that aspect of Somos tr3s?
Marcelo Briem Stamm: I believe that every film has their own treatment, and that includes nudity or sex scenes. In Somos tr3s, the sex is pure love and freedom. This is a romantic film that talks about love without labels, and it did not need to be super explicit. I wanted to create a beautiful love scene that shows the intimacy of three lovers who are discovering themselves and feel happy and complete.
Gary M. Kramer: Juan, you seem to be very comfortable with your body and being naked on screen. Can you talk about this?
Juan Manuel Martino: Yes, I am a confident person and an actor. And yes, Nacho and Ana fall in love with Sebastian, mainly because they discover his confidence and that he is so sure about what he wants. So, if you want to have a relationship that seems difficult, just go for it. It is all about confidence.
© 2019 Gary M. Kramer
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
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