The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros
The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros is the coming-age story of a boy in a slum in Manila.
But Maximo Oliveros is not an ordinary boy, he is an effeminate boy.
If he were in Singapore, he would have a miserable childhood. But in Manila, he is accepted by his widowed father and 2 older brothers who dwelled in the illegal business of trafficking stolen mobile phones.
Though he get teased occasionally, he is comfortable with himself, cross-dressed and sashayed everywhere he goes.
Maxi, as his family affectionately called him, is a carefree child, he stopped school and assumed a mother-daughter role at home, he took care of the washing and cooking, occasionally took bets in his family other illegal gambling business and played "beauty pageant" game with his "sis-tar" friends.
That is, until a dashing rookie policeman, Victor saved him from being raped by some street thugs and stole his heart.
So Maxi is torn between his first love and protecting his dad and older brother who killed someone from the by-the-book Victor.
The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros felt like a full-feature version from a short film film-maker, the sound recording is of inconsistent quality. Ditto for the cinematography. But it is sincere in telling the story in a non-judgemental manner.
The cast is natural, especially Nathan Lopez whose sensitive portrayal of the effervescent Maxi brought live to the character and the film.
Ping Medina made quite an impression too with the very convincing Bogs, the brother who is closest to Maxi.
The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros is a charming film to watch.
But Maximo Oliveros is not an ordinary boy, he is an effeminate boy.
If he were in Singapore, he would have a miserable childhood. But in Manila, he is accepted by his widowed father and 2 older brothers who dwelled in the illegal business of trafficking stolen mobile phones.
Though he get teased occasionally, he is comfortable with himself, cross-dressed and sashayed everywhere he goes.
Maxi, as his family affectionately called him, is a carefree child, he stopped school and assumed a mother-daughter role at home, he took care of the washing and cooking, occasionally took bets in his family other illegal gambling business and played "beauty pageant" game with his "sis-tar" friends.
That is, until a dashing rookie policeman, Victor saved him from being raped by some street thugs and stole his heart.
So Maxi is torn between his first love and protecting his dad and older brother who killed someone from the by-the-book Victor.
The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros felt like a full-feature version from a short film film-maker, the sound recording is of inconsistent quality. Ditto for the cinematography. But it is sincere in telling the story in a non-judgemental manner.
The cast is natural, especially Nathan Lopez whose sensitive portrayal of the effervescent Maxi brought live to the character and the film.
Ping Medina made quite an impression too with the very convincing Bogs, the brother who is closest to Maxi.
The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros is a charming film to watch.