SAN FRANCISCO—Real-life boyfriends Steve Cruz and Bruno Bond have released the first feature under their own label. The eponymous Hard Friction stars Cruz and Bond in addition to Roman Wright, Tony Vega, Fabio Stallone, Lonzo Zolar, Alessio Romero, Dominic Pacifico, Derrek Diamond and Craig Reynolds. The DVD also includes a bonus screen test featuring newcomer Vic Kovac and the scene from Raging Stallion Studios’ Menace that gave rise to the Bond-Cruz relationship.
According to Cruz, Hard Friction is a web-based studio. He and Bond intended to debut their first title online, but the feature was finished before the website was ready to host it. That’s OK, though, he noted, because the DVD gives consumers an idea of what to expect on the site when it bows in January.
“The first DVD features a collection of six scenes shot in [high-definition], plus a few DVD extras—a cross section of the type of programming you’ll eventually see on HardFriction.com,” Cruz told AVN. “The vision for Hard Friction is more like programming a television network. The types of entertainment we can develop don’t have to be structured on the same formula and ideas [one may find in traditional studio releases].”
Cruz said the website will incorporate four primary types of content: hardcore XXX scenes, concept-driven erotica, pro-am scenes the couple shoots during their travels, and screen tests.
“New talent is the backbone of HardFriction.com,” Cruz told AVN. “A few Hard Friction discoveries, like Tony Aziz and Craig Reynolds, have gone on to make movies for major studios.
“Some scenes we star in, but for many we remain behind the scenes,” he added. “For our fans we have developed a series called Hookups that features our sexy encounters with hot guys we meet. It’s freestyle shooting and reality based. We’ll both star in it and film it as it goes.”
Cruz credits Raging Stallion honcho Chris Ward with the idea for the Hard Friction.
“When executive producer Chris Ward came to us with the idea, we immediately saw how we could use the opportunity to experiment with new ideas and grow as filmmakers,” Cruz told AVN. “We direct, shoot and edit everything in-house.
“It’s an exciting time creatively. The possibilities seem wide open.”
With very little scripting, Hard Friction the feature is an adventure in non-stop, man-on-man hardcore action. Incorporated are several pairs, one foursome, a solo involving a jockstrap and toy play.
Kovac’s screen test is particularly enticing. Cruz interviews the ripped stud from the Ukraine before Kovac pleasures himself for the camera. Expect to see the Ukrainian in future Hard Friction and Raging Stallion titles.
Cruz and Bond remain under exclusive contracts with Raging Stallion, which will distribute Hard Friction’s DVD releases. For more information about the studio, visit HardFriction.com. Cruz and Bond actively seek new models; details are available on the website.
