It is easy to see how some people may find Argentinian filmmaker Marco Berger’s latest movie way too strung out as he teases us for the entire 105 minutes as to whether his two young protagonist’s budding relationship ever take flight, but it is the most tenderest of tales, so beautifully told, that it’s impossible to not become completely invested in the outcome.
The setting is a beautiful country house outside Buenos Aires which the parents of Fernando (Lucas Papa) have temporarily vacated so that he can invite his group of seven young male friends to spend part of the summer vacations there. This year he has added a new face to the mix with Germán (Gabriel Epstein) who he recently met at his Taekwondo class and since them the two of them are very quickly becoming best buddies.
This lively group of fit macho men with an overabundance of testosterone overflowing seem to pass their days by playing sports or just lounging around the house bragging about their relationships and sexual conquests which is considered de-riquer. With no girls in the house, the maid is a target for their amorous advances and ‘Fatso’ the one who succeeds in bedding her goes through the motions of making it least appear, it could be more than a night one stand.
The boys collectively are very relaxed and spend most of the day wearing just skimpy speedos, or more often than not, totally naked. The interesting part of that is Berger’s co-director on the movie is Martin Farina who, unlike Berger is straight, and he also functions as the director of photography and as such includes an overwhelming number naked and clothed shots.
Germán is however a little different than the others. Not only is he the newcomer to the group, but he is also gay, a fact that he keeps to himself especially as it very obviously that he has an enormous crush on an unsuspecting Fernando. He is a hard one to read and Germán has no idea at all of his sexuality or his feelings towards him even though it is obvious they are bonding very closely as friends. It’s even more confusing when Leo another of their housemates, who is undoubtably closeted gay, goes out of his way to tell Germán that Fernando is still pinning for the girlfriend he broke up with over a year ago.
There is essentially very little in the way of plot, but Berger keeps the intrigue going without flagging once. The air is full of homoeroticism as these self-assured good looking guys, comfortable in their own sexuality and camaraderie, create an environment which is neither threatening or uncomfortable for Germán. What is refreshing here is seeing him placed in these very intimate situations with these hunky jocks and being able to deal with it without going insane, or revealing his own sexuality.
Berger has (as always) cast very well and his two leads in particular exquisitely capture the sensitive nature of their roles, and with few words spoken between them portray this pair of disarmingly charming young man who you cannot help but root for whatever the outcome maybe in the end.
Berger never fails to delight and with his impressive resume that includes Hawaii, Plan B & Absent has now established himself one of the most important voices in queer cinema today.
