The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

Do you know a lot about the Philippines? I don't.

This movie is what is referred to as a Barrio Movie. The director said that they were popular in the 70s and 80s and have recently declined. It is all shot in one small neighborhood in some city in the Philippines (never named). A young gay boy, Maximo, is raised by his father and two older brothers. They are all involved in illegal means of making money - stealing cell phones and reselling them. Dad is also sort of an authority figure in the neighborhood. Oddly enough, these masculine men are incredibly sweet and understanding of little Maxi and his girlish ways. He cooks and cleans for them. The story is about their lives clashing with some new police in the barrio.

The movie was shot shakily with a digital camera. Once I got over the headache caused by that, I started to really enjoy the film. The actors were good and fun to watch on screen. Maxi was a beautiful boy. I cried at the end.

I still don't know that much about the Philippines. But I guess this movie isn't meant to educate. It did make me wonder how many languages the average Filipino living in an urban area speaks. If you know, let me know, I am just curious.

80%