Sono Tuki Ga Michiru Made (Iri, JAPAN)

Sono Tuki Ga Michiru Made / Until The Moon Waxes, 2007
Japanese with English Subtitles

This film tells the story of Ayumi, an unassuming lesbian college student who comes to Tokyo. When she heads for the local lesbian area of Tokyo, it is clear to her host that she is definitely a lesbian. With just 60 minutes altogether, the director, Iri, creates a rich and fascinating story. The self discovery of Ayumi becomes the self discovery of the audience because of the intimate interaction between the characters, candid dialogue, and the emotional undercurrent that glues the film together. At times, it becomes impossible to distinguish whether the film is a documentary or a narrative; whether the characters are real or fictitious.

Rating: 3 stars out of five.

Quemar las Naves (Francisco Franco-Alba, MEXICO)

Quemar las Naves / Burn the Bridges, 2007 Mexico
Spanish with English Subtitles

This film follows the life of Helena (Irene Azuela) and Sebastian (Ángel Onésimo Nevárez), who are teenagers dealing with the painful reality of facing the last few weeks of their mother’s life. Their mother (played by great actress Claudette Maille) is dying of cancer. But the story doesn’t end there, the way the siblings deal with this tormenting experience is what makes the film. While Helena brackets her life in the presence of her mother, falling for her brother, Sebastian is distracted by a bad boy named Juan (Bernardo Benitez). In the meantime, there is the protector Ismael (Ramón Valdes) who is in love with both Helena and Sebastian.

With a crazy multi-plot, coupled with an amazing soundtrack and the beautiful town of Zacatecas, this film becomes intoxicatingly addictive. The lead actors give memorable performances. The director’s delicate balance of tradition and modern life in current day Mexico makes for not just plausible feast but an enjoyable one. It is a shame that such a great film did not garner the widespread attention that it so deserves!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Donne-moi la main (Pascal-Alex Vincent, FRANCE)

Donne-moi la main / Give me your hand, 2008
French with English subtitles.

Donne-moi la main is Pascal-Alex Vincent's 9th film. Vincent is perhaps best known for his 2007 film "Candy Boy." In "Donne-moi la main," he casts identical twins (Alexandre and Viktor Carril) to play identical twins. The story revolves around twins who are 18, and on their way to their mother's funeral in Spain without their father's knowledge. As they don't have money, they must hitchhike.

On the way, they encounter people who bring something to their lives. There is the girl with whom one of them sleeps despite the fact that the other has bonded with her. Then there is the Arab guy with whom one of the twins has an interesting sexual experience. From these encounters we see their common alienation is also what puts the boys at each other's way.

As with many indie French films, this film is a bit boring. There are long moments of silence. The characters are never fully developed. It is in fact a better film to watch for the scenery than the plot.

Rating: 2 stars out of 5.

Finding Me (Roger S. Omeus Jr., USA)

FINDING ME, 2009

Finding Me is Roger S. Omeus' directorial debut. The film revolves around Faybien Allan (Raymartell Moore), a young Black man who on the surface seems to have it all going on for him: he young, beautiful, and has good friends. Don't let that fool you. Under neath all the hipness of his (external) life is a painful experience. Faybien is battling a homophobic father who taunts him, and in return Faybien grew self hating. But when he meets a self loving gay Black man named Lonnie (Derrick L. Briggs), things change. Lonnie challenges Faybien's dull life by making him confront his own demons. But the harder Lonnie pushes, the more complicated Faybien's life becomes.

The film is one of the handful gay films of color. As such, one can overlook the inexperience of its cast and crew. There is a lot to be desired on the acting, technical and the very image of the film. However, it gets two thumps up for a good story and the wonderful addition it is on the gay films of color section on any bookstore.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.