Fridae

The most charming and delightful movie of the week is The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros. Despite its stupendously low-budget and low-resolution visuals, the film still manages to win your heart with its sweet sincerity, natural performances and colourful street settings.

Child actor Nathan Lopez plays Maxi, a gorgeous 12-year-old trannie who dresses up in girly clothes and catwalks elegantly through the streets of Manila. Occasionally, he and his friends would stage beauty pageants and fashion shows for their own amusement.

But the reality of Maxi's life is very different from his glittering fantasies. He lives in the slums with his poor widowed father (Soliman Cruz) and two elder brothers � all small-time crooks who make a living out of stealing cellphones and making illegal bets.

Things take a turn when Maxi falls in love with a handsome policeman (J R Valentin) after the latter rescues him from the local bullies. Although the cop treats Maxi like a young friend or a nephew, Maxi pursues him in the hope of becoming more than just friends. But the boy soon discovers that his feelings for the cop are about to go head-to-head with his family's crooked ways...

Made for a paltry S$30,000, The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is a very good indie film that has won countless international film awards, including a Best Actor trophy for young Nathan Lopez. The central charm of the film is the sheer naturalness of the settings and the performances, which no doubt stems from Auraeus Solito's calm and clear directions.

As Maxi, Nathan Lopez is stunningly assured and charismatic. Meanwhile, policeman J R Valentin has that slightly stocky, "Average Joe" sort of handsomeness which some gay men would find rather attractive. Together, they make The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros the sweetest and most beguiling coming-of-age gay film since Summerstorm. Don't miss it!