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L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros

Original title: Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
  • 2005
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
Drama

A young boy falls in love with a handsome policeman who is investigating his family's criminal activities.A young boy falls in love with a handsome policeman who is investigating his family's criminal activities.A young boy falls in love with a handsome policeman who is investigating his family's criminal activities.

  • Director
    • Auraeus Solito
  • Writer
    • Michiko Yamamoto
  • Stars
    • Nathan Lopez
    • Soliman Cruz
    • JR Valentin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Auraeus Solito
    • Writer
      • Michiko Yamamoto
    • Stars
      • Nathan Lopez
      • Soliman Cruz
      • JR Valentin
    • 16User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 24 wins & 28 nominations

    Photos7

    L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
    L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
    L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
    L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
    JR Valentin and Nathan Lopez in L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)
    L'éveil de Maximo Oliveros (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nathan Lopez
    Nathan Lopez
    • Maxi Oliveros
    Soliman Cruz
    Soliman Cruz
    • Paco Oliveros
    JR Valentin
    JR Valentin
    • Victor Perez
    • (as J.R. Valentin)
    Neil Ryan Sese
    Neil Ryan Sese
    • Boy Oliveros
    Ping Medina
    Ping Medina
    • Bogs Oliveros
    Bodjie Pascua
    Bodjie Pascua
    • New Sergeant
    Elmo Redrico
    • Sarge
    Ivan Camacho
    • Art
    Lucito Lopez
    • Pulis
    Jett Desalesa
    • Leslie - Maxi's friend
    • (as Sir Jett Desalesa)
    Anastacio Cruz
    • Nar - Maxi's friend
    Roychell Torre
    • Monique - Maxi's friend
    Peter Anthony Tumbaga
    • Peter - Maxi's friend
    Edwin Pamanian
    Edwin Pamanian
    • Isko
    Rodney Luengu
    • Mang Axel
    Claudine Najera
    • Janet
    Rebecca Padilla
    • Lolet
    Arnold Cruz
    • Onnie
    • Director
      • Auraeus Solito
    • Writer
      • Michiko Yamamoto
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Joey Pepe Smith who plays the piano man being teased by the kids is the one who scored the film.
    • Quotes

      Paco: Sonofabitch! Damn you! I raised you a thief, but not a fucking killer! God damn you!

    • Connections
      Referenced in Ako ang simula: The ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Yearend Special (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      My Country, My Philippines
      Written and Performed by Yoyoy Villame

    User reviews16

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    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?
    helpful•35
    3
    • gonzagaext
    • Aug 29, 2006

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 4, 2007 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • Philippines
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Philippines)
      • Zelig Films (France)
    • Languages
      • Filipino
      • Tagalog
    • Also known as
      • The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros
    • Filming locations
      • Barangay 539 Zone 53, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
    • Production companies
      • Cinemalaya Foundation
      • UFO Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $28,041
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,690
      • Sep 24, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,691
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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