“There is great power in stories that explore the past in new ways,” says writer-director Will Seefried about Lilies Not for Me, a deeply moving film that explores the intersection of queer identity and institutional control in 1920s England.
Pictured above: Fionn O’Shea and Robert Aramayo in Lilies Not for Me (Image: Wolflight and Paradise City)
“The idea for Lilies Not for Me started when I learned about a shocking procedure from the 1920s, which claimed to ‘cure’ homosexuality. This history struck me as a chilling expression of the violence that queer people still endure to this day, while evoking the books and films that were most influential to me as a young person — haunting period romances with queer relationships at their centre, like James Baldwin’s masterpiece Giovanni’s Room, Todd Haynes’s Carol, and Merchant Ivory’s Maurice (from the novel by E.M. Forster), to name a few.”
Love Forbidden, Truth Unveiled
One of the film’s most profound insights is its depiction of compulsory conformity—the pressure to suppress one’s identity to fit societal norms. Owen’s forced teatime sessions with Nurse Dorothy, intended to prepare him for a “normal” heterosexual life, evolve into a poignant exploration of resilience and quiet rebellion. The film also highlights the hidden resistance within oppressive institutions, as some psychiatric nurses secretly worked against the system to support queer individuals.
“I dove deep into sources like Curing Queers: Mental Patients & Their Nurses, which revealed fascinating accounts of friendships between gay men and their psychiatric nurses. Many nurses became radicalised, fighting the system from within,” says Seefried on researching the historical context.
Seefried employs a mesmerising nonlinear narrative, using flashbacks to reveal Owen’s past relationships and the emotional weight of forbidden love. These sequences are drenched in golden light, emphasizing the contrast between the warmth of queer intimacy and the cold, clinical environment of the medical facility. The film’s artistic approach—treating its visuals like a painting rather than a strict historical photograph—allows for symbolic storytelling that resonates more deeply emotionally.
Another key aspect of the film is the relationship between psychiatric nurses and their patients. Seefried found that many nurses, initially tasked with enforcing heterosexual courtship, became radicalized and worked against the system to help queer individuals regain their freedom. This theme of hidden resistance adds depth to the narrative, showing how acts of defiance can emerge even within oppressive institutions.
Seefried also emphasises artistic interpretation in his storytelling. He describes the film as being approached like a painting rather than a photograph, allowing for expressive, symbolic storytelling rather than strict historical accuracy. This creative choice enables the film to explore its themes in a way that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
“I wrote the script at the beginning of 2021, in lockdown, and then have just been fortunate that it has found a path to being made, which for a first feature is always hard and particularly a period drama,” says Seefried.
READ MORE ABOUT GAY THEMED FILMS
Lilies Not for Me follows Owen James, a young aspiring novelist who is subjected to medical procedures aimed at “curing” his homosexuality. Through its haunting narrative and evocative cinematography, the film sheds light on the historical persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals while drawing parallels to contemporary struggles.
The film is set in 1920s England and follows Owen James (Fionn O’Shea) , a young aspiring novelist who is admitted to a medical facility that claims to “cure” homosexuality through experimental procedures. As part of his treatment, Owen is assigned daily teatime sessions with Nurse Dorothy (Erin Kellyman), meant to prepare him for a “normal” heterosexual life. Seefried uses flashbacks as a powerful narrative device to reveal Owen’s past relationships and the deep emotional scars left by the facility’s attempts to “cure” him. These sequences contrast the warmth of queer intimacy with the clinical coldness of the medical institution, emphasizing the film’s themes of compulsory conformity, hidden resistance, and identity suppression, with powerful performances by Robert Aramayo as Philip, a key figure in Owen’s past, and Louis Hofmann as Charles, another important character tied to Owen’s story.
Deeply rooted in historical and personal contexts that shape its themes, the film explores the harrowing reality of conversion therapy in the 1920s
Seefried’s research uncovered disturbing practices that is still practised in 2025, reinforcing the film’s message about systemic oppression and the resilience of queer individuals.
Although conversion therapy has a long and troubling history, dating back to the late 19th century when psychiatrists and doctors began labeling same-sex attraction as a medical condition and sought ways to “reverse” it. Despite its prevalence, conversion therapy has been widely discredited by medical professionals and human rights organizations. Today, many countries and states have banned the practice due to its harmful effects on mental health and well-being. It is not explicitly banned in South Africa in 2025, In Australia and the United States, conversion therapy is banned in certain states or territories, but not nationwide, and England is in the process of banning conversion therapy.
Crafted with deep historical research and a strong artistic vision, the film was inspired by archival accounts of early 20th-century medical practices that falsely claimed to “cure” homosexuality.
Seefried wanted to tell a historically grounded yet emotionally resonant story, conducting extensive research, including studying old medical journals and documentaries, to ensure authenticity in the film’s portrayal of repression and forbidden desire. He drew inspiration from classic queer literature and films like Maurice and Carol. The screenplay evolved from his research into psychiatric facilities and the relationships between patients and nurses.
You can watch Lilies Not for Me on Prime Video, where it’s available for rent or purchase
Lilies Not for Me marks Will Seefried‘s feature directorial debut. **, though he has previously worked on short films.
Will Seefried has worked on several projects beyond Lilies Not for Me. Here are some of his other films:
- Homesick (2023) – A short film about an unhappy man who attends a retreat offering adults a second chance at a happy childhood. It was featured at SXSW, won the Audience Award at Short of the Week, and was recognised at various film festivals.
- Dominant Species (2019) – A short film exploring a world where aliens find themselves in human bodies and must adapt to their new environment.
- Pregnant (2017) – A short film about a man who unexpectedly becomes pregnant and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Seefried has also been involved in television projects, including Sink Sank Sunk, a docudrama series he co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed.
Will Seefried studied at New York University and has been involved in various film and television projects based in the United States and South Africa.
Conversion therapy has a long and troubling history
The Practice dates back to the late 19th century when psychiatrists and doctors began labelling same-sex attraction as a medical condition and sought ways to “reverse” it. Early methods included hypnosis, hormone treatments, and even surgical procedures such as testicle transplants. By the 20th century, conversion therapy became more widespread, with techniques ranging from electroconvulsive therapy to lobotomies. Some practitioners believed homosexuality was a psychological disorder and attempted to “cure” individuals through behavioural conditioning, including exposing them to heterosexual pornography while administering electric shocks. Conversion therapy is not explicitly banned in South Africa. While the country has strong constitutional protections for LGBTQ+ rights, conversion therapy still occurs in various settings, including religious institutions, homes, and traditional healing spaces. Historically, South Africa had state-sponsored conversion therapy programs, such as the Aversion Project during apartheid, which subjected LGBTQ+ individuals to medical procedures like chemical castration and electric shock therapy. Today, conversion therapy continues in different forms, with reports of forced prayer sessions, exorcisms, and even physical abuse. There have been calls for legislative action to ban the practice, but no formal law has been passed yet. In Australia and the United States, conversion therapy is banned in certain states or territories, but not nationwide. England is in the process of banning conversion therapy. The Labour government has announced plans to introduce a Conversion Practices Bill, which aims to outlaw practices intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity
