Yet another strong and sensitive gay-themed movies from South America! Here not a coming-out story, no gay bashing or a struggle with strict parents, in fact the being gay is even hardly made an issue. Director Martín Deus only hints at main character Lorenzo being (possibly) gay, through a few very subtle scenes, but that is exactly enough to put Lorenzo's relation with Caíto into perspective.
The director carefully avoids the usual clichés. Although the boys sleep in the same bedroom, share a hiking tent or go for swims, there is no physical contact whatsoever. The only way in which both boys gradually overcome the big gap between their characters and background, is by talking and by showing each other loyalty and mutual understanding. The shy little kiss that Lorenzo at one point gives Caíto in this way gets all the more meaning. Does Caíto realize that Lorenzo is in love with him? Does he feel in any way something similar? The movie ends without answers, we have to guess for ourselves.
This is a "small" movie in every aspect: a small cast, few settings, a down to earth script without complicated twists or turns. But within these limits it is extremely involving and moving. Apart from the intelligent direction, this is especially thanks to the amazing way in which young Angelo Mutti Spinet plays his demanding and multi-layered part. He is totally convincing as the precocious, serious teen who yearns for something he cannot even imagine and at several moments he actually moved me to tears.
The director carefully avoids the usual clichés. Although the boys sleep in the same bedroom, share a hiking tent or go for swims, there is no physical contact whatsoever. The only way in which both boys gradually overcome the big gap between their characters and background, is by talking and by showing each other loyalty and mutual understanding. The shy little kiss that Lorenzo at one point gives Caíto in this way gets all the more meaning. Does Caíto realize that Lorenzo is in love with him? Does he feel in any way something similar? The movie ends without answers, we have to guess for ourselves.
This is a "small" movie in every aspect: a small cast, few settings, a down to earth script without complicated twists or turns. But within these limits it is extremely involving and moving. Apart from the intelligent direction, this is especially thanks to the amazing way in which young Angelo Mutti Spinet plays his demanding and multi-layered part. He is totally convincing as the precocious, serious teen who yearns for something he cannot even imagine and at several moments he actually moved me to tears.