Packed Lunch

Director: Tim Hunter
Runtime: 24 minutes
Country: Australia
Language: English
Festivals: Melbourne Queer Festival 2005

Speedos, budgie-smugglers, dick-stickers, togs or sluggos – whatever you call them; racing briefs, bikinis, trunks, or g-strings – however you wear them, they’re often linked to gay men. It’s the seductiveness of the style, the sexiness of the fabric, the tease of tightly-packed lunch and bums in these figure-hugging bathers, leaving just enough to the imagination.

Through a collection of interviews with Speedo lovers, such as Mark, the man who owns 5,000 pairs, and Kevyn, who co-ordinates his Speedos with the rest of his clothing and accessories; swimwear designers Kevin Hennah (Loaded), Duncan McLean (Funky Trunks) and Peter Travis, who designed the original racing brief for Speedo back in 1960; DNA Magazine editor, Andrew Creagh, La Trobe University expert David Wain, and drag queen Glenda Waverley; along with candid observations from director, Tim Hunter, and plenty of eye candy, this 24-minute documentary explores the appeal of these minimal pieces of Lycra, their role in body image, and their inherent link to gay men and gay culture. Beyond competition swimming and diving, are Speedos just a gay thing or something more? Is it a fetish, legitimate sportswear, or just well-packed lunch?