Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005)

Director:

Auraeus Solito

Writer:

Michiko Yamamoto (story)

Release Date:

4 April 2007 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A 12-year-old gay who comes from a criminal family falls in love with a handsome policeman.

Plot Keywords:

Gay | Criminal | Friend | Petty Criminal | Policeman

Awards:

19 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Nathan Lopez	...	Maxi
Soliman Cruz	...	Paco
J.R. Valentin	...	Victor
Neil Ryan Sese	...	Boy
Ping Medina	...	Bogs
Bodjie Pascua	...	New Sergeant
Elmo Redrico	...	Sarge
Ivan Camacho	...	Art
Lucito Lopez	...	Pulis
Sir Jett Desalesa	...	Leslie - Maxi's friend
Anastacio Cruz	...	Nar - Maxi's friend
Raychell Torre	...	Monique - Maxi's friend
Peter Anthony Tombasa	...	Peter - Maxi's friend
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Claudine Najera	...	Janet

Also Known As:

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (International: English title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Philippines

Language:

English | Filipino | Tagalog

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Philippines:PG-13 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines

Company:

Cinemalaya Foundation

Trivia:

Both Nathan Lopez and his identical twin Gammy auditioned for the title role of Maximo Oliveros. Nathan won the part.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ako ang simula: The ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Yearend Special (2006) (TV)

Dark, Campy, Brutally Honest Yet Heartwarming, 'Maximo' is Destined to be a Classic

One can seldom discuss gay Filipino films without mentioning the Lino Brocka classic, "Macho Dancer". For a long time the film lorded over all the others in gay filmdom (or is it 'film gaydom'?). Sure there were competent ones like "Aishite Masu" and "Markova: Comfort Gay" but they were never thisclose to "Macho". Could "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" finally be the one true contender for the throne?

Director Aureus Solito and writer Michiko Yamamoto have crafted a very likable coming of age story. The treatment of Maximo Oliveros' (Nathan Lopez) homosexuality is unique and refreshing for it is never questioned nor made an issue, just a fact as true as the sky is blue. It's a huge credit to the filmmakers for not resorting to easy laughs at the expense of gay characters. Camp is absolutely present but it's never overdone. In fact, I think one of the main reasons why the film works so well is because the whole film isn't overdone. The filmmakers know when to pull back just before a scene turns mushy or heavyhanded. Even something as elaborate as the mini-pageant scene is cut long enough to avoid unnecessary melodrama.

One of the film's most interesting aspects for a lot of viewers is the seemingly astonishing possibility that an effeminate homosexual can exist relatively peacefully in the slums, aka Hoodlum Central. Although I haven't seen this myself, I am convinced that cultural mores make this scenario very possible. Despite the influence of homophobic Roman Catholicism, the general mood in the country is situated somewhere between amusement, acceptance, and tolerance (though not immune to occasional spurts of homophobia). Let us not forget that pre-Spanish Philippine culture respected the 'babaylan', a gay priest(ess) of sorts.

The homoerotic love angle is beautifully handled, in my opinion. To start with, the leads are perfect. Lopez carries the film as Maximo while JR Valentin as the cop is hunky yet brotherly, respectable as necessary but not too antiseptic. You get a sense of hero worship, excessive caring, and strong attraction from the side of Maximo while from the other side you see a fraternal sense of caring, naivete, and a culturally-imbibed politeness that supersedes any possible homophobia. There's also a delicious hint of ambiguity in his sexuality. There are a number of memorable scenes between the two, but a brief, well-handled, but highly erotic one (which, under a weaker filmmaker, could've easily bordered on pedophilia considering Maximo's age) and the emotionally satisfying ending stand out the most.

Despite the fact that Maximo Oliveros is unapologetically gay the film isn't strictly gay-themed unless you consider puppy love, unrequited love, familial obligations, and economic struggles as such.

It was a proud moment to watch a Filipino film in the prestigious Lincoln Center New Films/New Directors series in New York City. It was icing on the cake to see someone from the Univ. of the Philippines do good, in the gay arena, no less. "As good as Hollywood films"? I say better. When did Hollywood ever show us a coming of age story with a gay lead character?