La partida

A tough and gritty insight into young gay life in Cuba. Milton Garcia ("Yosvani") a small time rent boy and Reinier Díaz ("Reinier") an aspiring footballer live and work in poverty selling whatever they can - including themselves - just to keep their heads above the water. Needless to say, whilst their prostitution is accepted to some extent; any sort of homosexual relationship with affection, let alone love, is still very much a taboo. Antonio Hens gets the two young men to deliver strong, convincing performances as they take us through a fairly hairy story and try to give their love a chance to thrive. It's quite a tough watch and it doesn't pull it's punches...

Right from the start, this movie already showed some red flags. Firstly, Reinier is married but resorted to prostitution to earn money for his wife and baby. Secondly, Yosvani living with his girlfriend without love. It's obvious that he's gay but pretending to be straight because, as usual, the society was homophobic and merciless to gay people. Thirdly, it's obvious that this love story between them isn't going to end well. But Yosvani was too dumb to see that and forcing his way to be with Reinier despite his rejection in the end. And last but not least, the movie didn't give the audience a closure. Nothing was explained about their fates. It doesn't matter that the movie was made well and acted very well. If it doesn't have any closure, then it's crappy. That's why I reduced 2 stars from my initial rating. One for giving no closure to the story and another for crappy ending. If you're like me who's looking for a good ending or at least a clear one, don't watch this movie.

I've seen so few good 'gay-themed' films. "La partida" aka "The Last Match" is one of the great ones. From the director of another excellent film, "Clandestinos," we have a rare instance where gay characters aren't portrayed as ridiculous, clown-like stereotypes. The leads don't wear eyeliner, and they aren't go-go boys who hang out in bars, and they don't have drug problems. Instead we have two leads who are just regular people, who discover that they have a mutual attraction for each other. Living in Cuba, with a wife that supports him financially, Reinier is an avid futbol player, who is hoping to go pro, as a way of escaping a country where freedom does not exist. He also wants to escape the poverty that envelops him and his family and mates. So desperate for a way out, his own mother pushes him towards male prostitution, hoping that her young son will marry a foreigner, and thus give them all a way out of Cuba. Likewise Yosvani is in an unhappy relationship with a female, also supporting him. The two guys figure out that they like each other more than they should, and soon it turns into love. From that point everything and everyone seems set on destroying what the two have found with each other.

This is a sad story. It is romantic in a way that so few movies of this genre are. The two lead actors are great, especially Milton Garcia as Yosvani. He loves his friend in this intense way that we all wish we could be loved. His eyes are so sad, as though he knows from the start, that the love story will never have a happy ending. But he doesn't give up. This guy was brilliant.

Director Antonio Hens has a way of showing his audience a different kind of gay world, one that is free of dumb stereotypes. In "Clandestinos" we have a gay terrorist. And here we have a guy who plays football, and a street thug, who just happen to be attracted to the same sex. Films like this are so important, in that they teach the uninformed that gays are not "freaks," but in many cases completely typical men and women that just happen to be drawn to the same sex. As long as they are portrayed as silly stereotypes, the hatred and prejudice will be perpetuated. We need more cinema like this. It's a great love story, well-made and beautifully written. I recommend this movie as well as "Clandestinos," for people looking for something different.

The background, the carachters, the acting, the script, the photography and the lighting are above the average of most gay films. It lacks in the fields of direction (the use of the camera in some dialogs), the sound (some words are missing due to the lack of vocalization of the actors and the level of sound) and a more elaborated and credible ending. Anyway, it is worth watching this Spanish film.

"The Last Match," directed by Antonio Hems, delicately navigates the complexities of love, identity, and societal expectations in contemporary Cuba. The film chronicles the clandestine romance between Reinier and Yosvani, capturing the tender intimacy and passionate trysts amidst a backdrop of economic hardship and cultural norms.

Hems artfully portrays the evolving relationship between Reinier and Yosvani, highlighting their differing attitudes towards love and commitment. While Yosvani falls deeply in love, Reinier appears more reserved, perhaps influenced by societal pressures and his own uncertainties.

The film skillfully weaves in details about the characters' lives, such as Reinier's mother's approval of his relationship with Juan, adding depth to the narrative. Additionally, Hems explores themes of masculinity and sexuality, shedding light on the complexities of Cuban machismo culture and the challenges faced by individuals navigating their sexual identities.

The performances by the central male actors, García and Díaz, are captivating, conveying the emotional turmoil and vulnerability of their characters. Hems' casual portrayal of nudity underscores the raw emotions at play, adding authenticity to the film's portrayal of intimacy.

However, "The Last Match" falters in its melodramatic climax, which feels forced and detracts from the otherwise compelling narrative. Despite this misstep, the film remains a poignant exploration of love, desire, and the human experience in a challenging social context.

Overall, "The Last Match" is a thought-provoking and visually arresting drama that resonates long after the credits roll, offering a glimpse into the complexities of life and love in contemporary Cuba.

#TheLastMatchFilm #miltongarcia #reinierdiaz.