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I am
Holding Hands
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros
I am
India, 2011
Direction: Sonali Gulati
Production: Sonali Gulati
Genre: Biography/Family
71’
Première in Spain
Sonali Gulati, a film director, returns to New Delhi after 11 years to open her mother’s house, who died without knowing Sonali is a lesbian. In a sort of a post mortem coming out story, she talks to some gay friends and their families, and ends up making a portrait of homosexuality in modern India.
With a spectacular photography, she has gathered a collection of very moving testimonies, such as of a mother, preparing a homemade wedding for her son and his boyfriend, the coming out story of a young Maharaja in front of the media, or the touching story of two girls taken apart by their families. In a country were homosexuality was a crime until 2009, these images mark the contrasts that still exist between social classes and castes, tradition and religion, urban activism and rural isolation, TV and media culture and collective unconscious, where parental rejection gives finally its place to pride.
* * *
Holding Hands
Australia, 2010
Direction: Tonnette Stanford & Katherine Wilkinson
Production: Stickybeak Films
Starring: Craig Gee, Shane Brennan
Genre: Biography/Family
65’
Première in Spain
Sydney. In a warm summer night of 2007, Shane Brennen and his lover Craig Gee, decide to take a walk holding hands through the gay friendly neighbourhood of Oxford. Two hooded men attack and leave them at the brink of death. Greg is brutally injured in his head and legs, and in need to have multiples surgeries, which leaves him with deep physical and emotional scars.
A cruel story but real where in addition to the violence, it shows the contempt and rejection of his family and the inaction of the police, who plays dumb when asked to look out for the aggressors. The press picks up the story, which spreads like a wild fire throughout the gay community, which stands ups and demands justice.
A moving documentary, which shows us the collapse, not only physical, but also emotional of a stable couple who cannot withstand the consequences of anti gay violence. A personal and collective story about solidarity and the community filling which faced with a real tragedy, rises and makes it stronger… “If we all hold hands… they can’t hurt us”.
* * *
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros
Philippines, 2005
Direction: Auraeus Solito
Production: Cinemalaya
Starring: Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, J.R. Valentin
Feature Film
Genre: Comedy Drama
100’
Première in Barcelona
Maxi, a 12 years old kid, who lives in a poor neighbourhood of Manila, would like to be a girl. He wears ribbons in his hair, he walks like a girl, wears make up, and is obsessed with romantic comedies. As a flower born in the middle of the mud and violence, he lives with his father and brothers, small time thieves that accept his sexuality. Maxi has taken the role of her dead mother by cooking, sewing clothes, and taking care of their home.
One night, Maxi is attacked by some men on the streets, and rescued by Victor, a young and attractive police officer, with whom Maxi falls in love immediately. A friendly relationship grows between them based on Maxi’s desire and Victor’s will to save Maxi from the violent world he lives in. However, things complicate when Victor is investigating a crime, which implicates Maxi’s brothers… A beautiful and moving film, that won the Teddy Award in 2006.