Hot-on-the-heels of ‘The Male Gaze: French Connection’, the series continues with new release ‘The Male Gaze: Bittersweet’. This instalment features six shorts from Mexico, Portugal, Brazil, Spain and France, shining a spotlight on talent that would otherwise not get the audience it deserves. Exploring same sex attraction for men, and boys, at different stages of their life, ‘The Male Gaze: Bitter Sweet’ dives deep for an eclectic collection of short films.
‘Memory of an Afternoon on the Roof’ from filmmaker Tavo Ruiz opens the collection, and it takes the viewer to, you guessed it, a rooftop where two best friends are unpacking a moment where their friendship crossed a new boundary. The hazy short sees the boys barely speaking to one another but expressing themselves through their interactions and movement. I got a strong sense that this could be a daydream in one of the boy’s minds but it's never made clear if that is the case.
Gonçalo Pina’s ‘Afternoon Sun’ is told through lingering looks of Carlos (Miguel Baltazar) a boy who is sunbathing and catches the eye of a handsome man. It’s a brief exploration of that attraction that feels unique to young people; all-consuming and exciting. The short doesn’t really go anywhere beyond that but it’s still an enjoyable watch.
The first highlight on the collection is Antonio Miano’s dark and creepy ‘Sweet Water’. Focusing on two cousins who meet for the first time in years following the death of their grandfather, the short builds slowly but delivers plenty of surprises. There’s a friction between the cousins that is more than simply family quarrels, and where that goes is shocking and unexpected. This one will take a bit of unpacking!
Manu Roma’s ‘Cor Petit’ sees ambitious young actor Gael (Adil Boulaft) manoeuvre his way into a plum role in a play by his favourite director. His arrival among the other actors competing against him causes a stir, but soon a series of mysterious events suggest that there’s something sinister going on. Is Gael behind it or is it a coincidence? The short touches upon familiar ideas but that doesn’t make it any less unsettling or intriguing.
Penultimate short ‘Haiku’ from directors Tim Rousseau and Florian Lesieur, is another highlight of this collection. Adam (Tim Rousseau) and Evan (Florian Lesieur) are forced to spend time together after being caught out while committing a prank. The two men don’t really know each other and their quick bond catches them both off-guard. Is it a friendship they’ve built or something more? That’s the question that’s answered by the end of the short, and it makes this an intriguing coming-of-age drama about two boys finding out who they really are.
The final short on this release is ‘The Boy Who Wanted To Fly’ from director Jorge Muriel. Set in Madrid in the 80s, the film centres on Ivan, a five-year-old boy who starts to question his life when his parents announce they are expecting another child. Muriel’s film is a fascinating exploration of what it’s like to be a child and how children deal with change that they can’t perhaps comprehend. Ivan’s relationship with his abrasive father is central to the story and the young boy starts to feel gradually more isolated. It’s avery touching film that perfectly captures the innocence of youth.
‘The Male Gaze: Bitter Sweet’ is a stronger entry into the franchise than previous instalment ‘The Male Gaze: French Connection’. The shorts here cover much broader ground and they are so different from one another. Honestly, there isn’t a bad short here and all of them have something to say and offer. This might be the best instalment in the series for a while!
Cast: Leonardo Castell, Paulino Razo, Miguel Baltazar, Ana Arinto, David S. Costa, Túlio Starling, Danielli Mendes, Jesuíta Barbosa, Tim Rousseau, Florian Lesieur Directors: Antonio Miano, Manu Roma, Gonçalo Pina, Tim Rousseau, Florian Lesieur, Jorge Muriel, Tavo Ruiz Certificate: 15 Duration: 117 mins Released by: NQV Media Release date: 11th November 2024 Buy ‘The Male Gaze: Bitter Sweet’ now
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