The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (2005)

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

Director:

Auraeus Solito

Writer:

Michiko Yamamoto (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, J.R. Valentin

24 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nathan Lopez	...	Maxi Oliveros
Soliman Cruz	...	Paco Oliveros
J.R. Valentin	...	Victor Perez
Neil Ryan Sese	...	Boy Oliveros
Ping Medina	...	Bogs Oliveros
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	...	Isko
Rodney Luengu	...	Mang Axel

Storyline

Can a 12-year old lad who wishes he were a girl navigate the mean streets of Manila? Maxi cooks, cleans, and sews for his father and older brothers who are petty criminals. He's sweet, clever and hardworking, at ease with being gay, pinning a flower in his hair, swinging his hips when he walks, vamping with friends. He's seen adults hug and kiss and he's watched romantic movies, so on the verge of puberty, he develops a crush on Victor, a kindly young cop. Maxi's heart and loyalties are on a collision course: Victor is investigating crimes that lead him to Maxi's family. In the land of the morning, is there a place for this child of the sun returning?

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Plot Keywords:

criminal | boy | crush | friend | petty criminal | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Besides the main actors, the other people we see in the movie are the director's real neighbors.

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Quotes

Maxi: [as an action movie plays] How can you watch his? It's so noisy!
Boy: The noise keeps you from thinking.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Isipin mo na lang
Written by Mike Villegas
Performed by Bayang Barrios

User Reviews

A beautiful and cutting-edge film

I saw this at the San Francisco Film Festival... it is really a beautifully done film that has both good laughs and good drama. It is amazing that this film was produced for about $10,000 US and was shot in 13 days in the director's own hometown neighborhood. This film will surprise you with its frankness and honesty, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I've seen plenty of boring and trite or irrelevant films at film festivals. This film is certainly worthy of your time and may change the way you look at poverty, at gay people, and at the nature of families and the love of parent and child, sibling and sibling. It is also a wonderful "barrio" film in the tradition of "Macho Dancer," but I think it does that film one better. I would definitely see this movie once or twice again. It is easily as good as any Hollywood film.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Philippines] Zelig Films [France]

Country:

Philippines

Language:

Filipino Tagalog

Release Date:

4 April 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Feslő bimbó - Maxi legszebb évei

Filming Locations:

Barangay 539 Zone 53, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,690, 24 September 2006

Gross USA:

$28,041

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,691

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemalaya Foundation, UFO Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color