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.

Dare (Adam Salky, USA)

Dare, 2009

In 2005, filmmaker Adam Salky made a short film about a dorky high school kid named Ben who lusts after Johnny, the bad boy at school. Then Salky turned around and made a feature out of that story. This time, however, things are rearranged a bit. Alexa who was just a friend in the short is now a leading lady in this ménage à trois feature.

In the feature, Ben and Alexa have been best friends since they were very young. Now comes a new guy in school who is an asshole. Neither of them like him. When Johnny is cast opposite Alexa in drama class, things change for all three. Johnny becomes sexually involved with both Ben and Alexa. The film is highly salvaged by the space it affords to build each character. The film is told from the viewpoint of each main character. This allows the viewer to feel connected at all times with that character. It also creates a rich balance in a story that otherwise would have been too much to swallow.

Dzi Croquettes (Raphael Alvarez & Tatiana Issa, BRAZIL)

Dzi Croquettes, 2009
Portuguese with English Subtitles

This a documentary film that tells the story of the "Dzi Croquettes" which was an all-male theater group that challenged Brazil's repressive dictatorship. And to show their appreciation, the Brazilian people have taken up the group as their freedom fighters on stage. The many personalities who are interviewed add an element of spice to this already fully-charged story. Between the great music, great history, and absolute use of color, the film leads the way as one of the most fascinating films coming out of South America. The Brazilian community has recognized this because the film has won top honors at Rio and Sao Paolo international film festivals, as well as the top honor at the Mix Brasil (LGBT) film festival.

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.