Wusheng feng ling (Hung Wing Kit, CHINA)

Wusheng feng ling / Soundless Wind Chime, 2009
Chinese / German with English Subtitles

Hung Wing Kit’s directorial debut is a piece of art not to be understood in one sitting. It’s highly difficult to follow this film because of the very few dialogue and because of the conflicting behavioral scenes (one actor is Chinese, another Swiss). It’s about a young Chinese immigrant, Ricky, who comes to Hong Kong from the Mainland, and who falls in love with another immigrant named Pascal who happens to be a thief. Pascal, a Swiss, is in an abusive relationship when he encounters the sweet Ricky and can’t help but fall in love with him. The film is an artistic vision at its best. Ricky can’t decide what is real and what is a memory, and the soundtrack lends a hand to an already moving imagery, which makes this one of the best films of the decade. If you don’t have the time to sit down and really concentrate, or are not in the best state of mind, it is best to skip it. It isn’t the kind of movie you can have playing in the background.

Poikien bisnes (Markku Heikkinen, FINLAND)

Poikien bisnes / All Boys, 2009
Czech with English Subtitles

Markku Heikkinen, who made the 2004 documentary “Blue Boy,” is back with yet another affecting documentary. This time his subject matter is boys in porn, especially those from the Czech Republic. The film follows a rather “leader” of the gay porn in Eastern Europe, a middle aged American named Dan Komer. The first thought that comes to mind is “he is exploiting these kids.” As the film unfolds, however, you see a different side of Komer. Yes, he exploits them and so are they. Take, for example, Ruda or “Aaron Hawke,” whom Komer made a house hold name in the USA. The kid was making a lot of money but in the end he is homeless. Then there is the straight guys who openly choose the world of gay porn because they know it pays. But this is not an all sad story. Some of the characters end up in a good life after the porn. Regardless of whether or not you like one or two of the characters in this documentary, it is ultimately the kind of film that leaves you with a feeling.

Mine vaganti (Ferzan Ozpetek, ITALY)

Mine vaganti / Loose Canons, 2010
Italian with English Subtitles

Yes, Ferzan Ozpetek is back to being Ferzan Ozpetek. After years of absence from his queer comedy films, he is back with “Loose Canons,” a family drama that is his gayest film to date. A son comes back home to Lecce after years of self exile in Rome. He comes home to come out. But his brother beats him to it! Yes, two gay sons! In southern Italy! Mamma mia! And so the perfect table surrounded by loud and happy Italians literally falls apart.

Every stereotype is turned upside down, and it’s all part of what makes you fall in love with this film. The grandmother who chose honor over love. The gay son who played by the book. The spinster aunt who keeps them all on their toes. The overdramatic Italian father. The laughable fags. The gossip of small town. It’s all there.

Welcome back, Ferzan Ozpetek!