jotix100
Hugo, a young man living in Osorno, southern Chile, has to face reality as he gets his girlfriend pregnant. What is worse, the girl is the daughter of Hugo's employer. Hugo is befriended by Octavio, a local young man from the area, who is a boxer. The two men feel comfortable with each other. On a camping trip, Octavio, showing all signs of having fallen for Hugo, kisses him, something that he never saw coming.Octavio suffers from what appears to be epilepsy. After the fights, we watch him writhing on the floor, uncontrollably. A doctor tells him point blank he must get away from the ring because he stands the chance of suffering brain damage. With no prospects to make a living in the south, the pair, having become lovers, decide to try their luck in Santiago. Once there, they have to face reality, there are no jobs for Hugo, but Octavio is hired as a barber.Life in the city turns out to be hard for Hugo, until he meets Jenny, a nice young woman who offers him a job in her father's pet supply shop. It does not take long before the attraction both feel becomes apparent. Octavio, unaware of the situation, decides to try to get in the ring again, a dangerous decision indeed. Jenny discovers where Hugo lives, but meets Octavio instead, who recognizes the situation between Hugo and the young woman. Octavio, despondent after the betrayal decides to go back to boxing, which proves to be a risky decision.A surprising film from Chile, written and directed by Julio Jorquera Arriagada, presents an not too common situation between two young men from working class backgrounds. Octavio takes the role of the man, while Hugo stays at home because of the lack of a job. Their situation is probably rare in that people of their social status will probably try to suppress their sexual attraction by whatever means. It is clear Octavio loves Hugo, but one never feels his love is returned one hundred percent by the other.There seems to be a case of bisexuality in Hugo. The appearance of Jenny in Hugo's life could not come at a worse moment. Not only that, but what hurts Octavio the most is the way Hugo betrays what he felt was true love. Being a simple minded individual Octavio does not know how to deal with his situation. Going back to the dangerous world of boxing is a way for Octavio to escape what he if feeling not realizing what Hugo has been doing behind his back. The hurtful situation is too much to Octavio; he cannot accept what life had dealt him when his happiness is shattered.The two principals, Roberto Farias, seen as Octavio and Hector Morales playing Hugo, pays off for Mr. Jorquera. The other lead, Manuela Martelli, seen as Jenny, is only seen briefly, but she is convincing as the young woman unaware the man she falls for is in a homosexual relationship. Mr. Farias and Mr. Morales compliment each other well. The film was probably done with a small budget.The dark cinematography by Sergio Armstrong adds a layer to the story which goes from the rainy atmosphere of the South of Chile to the gray skies in Santiago in winter. The music score is credited to Fernando Milagros which adds texture to the story. Mr. Jorquera seems well suited to go to bigger things in the Chilean cinema.
itsvivek4u
Some films just surprise you. You hardly expect anything from them and then they spring out like something totally worth spending your time and money on. This Chilean drama is beautiful poignant and even sad. It shows what love is all about, it doesn't have to by mushy but it is all about what you feel internally.Hugo has just lost his mother and leading a very mundane life. He soon becomes captivated by a boxer Octavio who is diagnosed as epileptic. Although Octavio keeps his tough and masculine facade, it is he who make the first move on Hugo. Life in a small town in southern Chile is hard for the two, for they can never be accepted in their community, and work is very hard. After Octavio finds out that if he boxes again he might die, Octavio and Hugo pack their bags to start a new life in the capital of Chile. Octavio gets a job as a barber and Hugo also manages to get a job. There he meets this girl who gets instantly attracted towards Hugo. Meanwhile, Octavio get s a boxing gig which he just cannot refuse because he needs money plus he misses boxing too much. When this girl one day shows up unannounced at Hugo's home while he is not there, she tells Octavio that her and Hugo are a couple. This doesn't go down well with Octavio who feels hurt and leaves the house immediately. His last fight is coming up soon which will give him enough money. But destiny always has some other plans for us and the film ends on a very sad note.This was a truly unusual, moving and tender story about two very different working class men determined to love despite the obstacles. Like I mentioned, there might be many scenes that show heir physical relationship and mushy romance but this film shows it more realistically where they are there for each other, they care for each other, cook together etc. This i what happens in a real life. Both the lead characters have acted their part so well and with such conviction that they fit their roles to T. It does get a little boring somewhere in the first few reels but the ending does break your heart. I am up for a realistic good drama any day over a big budget crap.This film will definitely touch you at somewhere
