Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Day 5: BoY

This entry from the Philippines is a tender story of young love that also touches on socio-economic and political issues in the country. But without resorting to heavy melodrama that is typical of the "macho dancer" genre films. One of the highlights of this film is the use of aquariums as more than just a scenic background thus almost making them another character in the film. The most amazing tidbit about BoY is that, except for the actors playing the mother and the father, everyone in the cast is a non-actor. The bar performers are really bar performers and the lead character is an actual art student. If you want to see a bittersweet and sexy story between two young men, BoY is your best bet.

NOTE: The short film Self Service from Israel was screened in this program.

18 comments:

Woody said...

I liked this movie quite a bit.
The story was cute and touching, with an interesting twist or two that I wasn't expecting.

Funny how there always seems to be a movie every year that has hot Philippian boys in it. Please note, that is NOT a complaint! (Far, far from it!) Just an observation. ;)

Rick said...

Another wonderful Philipino film. Each year seems to bring at least one. The actors in this were charming and the story was cute.

Michael G said...

Filipino gay films at ImageOut ... hmmmm ... I wonder why. Hehe. Honestly, because of my connections over there, I get more submissions from the Philippines than other LGBT festivals would. At the same time, I also reach out and try to seek out good LGBT films from my home country. It's always good to expose the Rochester audiences to different cultures. I did screen quite a few Filipino films this year but unfortunately, only one film stood out to me as worth including in the lineup. Hopefully, we'll get to see more in future festivals.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Like a cheerleader - visually stunning but what the hell are they trying to say?

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
The pace and dialogue were way too slow. The essence would have made an interesting 20 minute short. All the rest was superfluous -- we only needed the visit, the return to pay, and the night together.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
BoY needed more ... it seemed like half a movie.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
I always like going to international films. The macho dancing was interesting but overall the movie seemed incomplete.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from B.M.:
BoY, in my opinion, was way too slow. But ok.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from J.W.:
Very dreamy and serene.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Sweet film! Very nice movie. Cute.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Beautiful boys but only an ok movie.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Ahh ... finally, a sweet filipino film that doesn't end badly. Thank you for no violence!

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from T.M.:
Movie was very creative. Love doesn't always work in different worlds.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
SELF SERVICE was ok - interesting with red light near the laundromat.

BoY - must've been some symbolism with fish and aquariums - neat filming love scenes thru them. But long - got much better after relationship was established, etc.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from W.T.:
BoY - oh it's delightful! erotic! {heart}

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from T.F.:
Nicely done. The plot could have been a little better but the boys were cute.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Exotic, sad, pretty.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Very sweet and touching.