Filmmakers James Franco and Travis Mathews re-imagine the lost 40 minutes from “Cruising” as a starting point to a broader exploration of sexual and creative freedom.

James Franco’s Sal chronicles the final hours of the life of actor Sal Mineo, one-time teen idol and star of the blockbuster films Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus.

In 19th century Baltimore, Isabel Porter, a girl stricken with grief from her parents’ untimely death, voluntarily checks herself into the Rosewood Institute. Subjected to bizarre and increasingly violent pseudo-scientific experiments in personality modification, brainwashing and mind control, she must escape the clutches of the Rosewood and exact her revenge, or else be forever lost.

Tragedy strikes when Chelsea’s flight back home crashes in the wilderness. The only other urvivor of the crash, Evelyn King, who just so happens to be a huge fan of Chelsea, pulls her to safety. As Evelyn cares for Chelsea’s wounds, she becomes increasingly obsessive. Chelsea begins to realize that her caretaker may have more sinister plans in store and she must find a way to overcome her injuries in order to escape from Evelyn, whose insane adoration may ultimately be Chelsea’s demise.

Two teams are in a heated race for the money and the honor that comes with breaking the land speed world record.