En malas compañías

A school boy hangs around a mall in order to pick up older men and have sex in the public toilets. When his English tutor teaches him anal sex he is opened up to new experiences despite being caught by his disapproving father. When he meets a 18 year old he goes to the toilets only to be caught by security and charged. Despite his parent's disapproval he finds this makes him dedicated to one relationship but the sexual anonymity of the toilets is a constant lure for him.

This short starts out interesting - the boy is an interesting character and at first you want to find out more about what makes him tick. However the story quite moves into several scenes of sweaty men having sex in a shopping mall toilets. These scenes are totally unnecessary and don't add value to the character. I thought that the story was going to be a message film, however this film portrays homosexuals as highly promiscuous, lacking morals and unable to commit to a relationship. In fact the film's conclusion is that the homosexual character, even when he is happily in a relationship, still likes to pick up men in toilets and have sex with them.

I don't understand the point of the film - if I didn't know better I'd think I'd think the film was designed to reinforce gay stereotypes. The teenager is actually very good in the lead role, it's just a shame that it turns out that he hasn't got a character to speak of.

This film starts well but quickly degenerates into slightly erotic gay cinema. The story that starts full of promise turns out to be hollow and full of insulting stereotypes about young gay men.

Shot in my town, this extremely well shot short film is one of the most interesting ones I've seen in the last years...

The story of a gay teenager who not only lives his homosexuality as openly as he can but also uses it as a weapon. The movie is fresh, and the main performance is simply amazing.

A trivia, one of the supporting characters is played by Julio Sanjuan, better known in Spain for playing one of the most charismatic characters in box-office blockbuster "Torrente, el Brazo Tonto de la Ley" (Santiago Segura, 1998).

...or only a precise sketch about cruising, teenager fantaisies, a sort of revolt, half comedy, half new perspective about an old theme. Nothing remarkable but real nice for the mix of fronda, desires and not bad end. Short, a smart idea, a not bad film.

Antonio Hens' "En Malas Compañías" (2000), also known as "Doors Cut Down," is a potent exploration of teenage sexuality and the complexities of identity within a repressive social milieu. Set in the suburban confines of a local mall, the film masterfully juxtaposes the public and private spheres of its protagonist, Guillermo, portrayed with remarkable nuance by Israel Rodríguez.

Film Analysis and Themes

"En Malas Compañías" follows 16-year-old Guillermo, whose clandestine encounters in the mall's restrooms form the crux of the narrative. Despite his apparent self-assuredness, Guillermo's introspective voice-over reveals his naivety and confusion regarding the attention he receives from older men. This internal monologue is a critical device, exposing the dichotomy between his self-perception and the external reality of his allure.

The film delves deeply into themes of forbidden desire and societal repression. Guillermo's interactions, particularly with his tutor and other anonymous men, underscore the clandestine nature of his sexual explorations. His infatuation with Asier, a seemingly heterosexual tough guy from the neighborhood, further complicates his emotional landscape, highlighting the fluidity and complexity of sexual identity.

Director Antonio Hens utilizes the public restrooms of the mall as a symbolic space where societal norms and personal desires clash. This setting not only intensifies the narrative's tension but also reflects the broader social commentary on the policing of queer spaces and identities. The subplot involving Guillermo's parents, who seek therapy to come to terms with his sexuality, adds another layer of depth, underscoring the generational and cultural challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth.

Cinematic Techniques

Antonio Hens' direction is both bold and intimate, capturing the raw vulnerability of Guillermo's journey. The cinematography by Alfonso Segura is particularly noteworthy, employing tight framing and close-ups to draw the audience into Guillermo's world. This visual intimacy is complemented by the film's restrained use of music, composed by Nacho Mastretta, which subtly underscores the emotional undercurrents without overwhelming the narrative.

The film's aesthetic choices are deliberate and evocative, enhancing the storytelling by creating a sense of claustrophobic tension that mirrors Guillermo's internal struggles. The use of public and private spaces is deftly handled, with the mall restrooms serving as a liminal space where societal norms are both enforced and transgressed.

Performances

Israel Rodríguez delivers a standout performance as Guillermo, capturing the delicate balance between vulnerability and defiance. His portrayal is both raw and nuanced, making Guillermo a deeply empathetic character. Rodríguez's ability to convey complex emotions through subtle expressions and body language adds a layer of authenticity to the film.

Pablo Puyol, as Asier, provides a compelling counterpoint to Guillermo's character. His portrayal of a seemingly macho figure hiding his true self adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the performative aspects of gender and sexuality.

Conclusion

"En Malas Compañías" is a powerful short film that offers a candid exploration of youth, sexuality, and the quest for self-acceptance. Its explicit content, while provocative, is handled with a sensitivity that respects the characters' inner lives and the broader social context. Antonio Hens' direction, combined with Israel Rodríguez's compelling performance, creates a film that is both emotionally resonant and visually engaging.

Rating: 7/10.

THE BOLD STORY OF A NAIVELY SPICY TEENAGER

I have to confess that for years, possibly 2018 when I saw it for the first time, it has been one of those "guilty pleasure" type films. One of those that I watch when I want to remember something from my adolescence. And boy does it do the job.

Spanish short film (which could be said to be one of the classics of Spanish independent LGTB+ cinema and even if you want, a "cult" film in the LGTB+ scene) that addresses the oldest sensations, desires and experiments in the world, from the point of view of a crazy teenager just as hormonal as many of us at the time. Let's not pretend that we all went through that and we enjoyed it in our own way! And the fact that it was made 23 years ago with an obvious advance for its time is phenomenal.

The acting of the protagonist is sublime, and his role is for me, one of the best in the Spanish scene, I say this because his role is very difficult to achieve, with that UNIQUE naturalness and spontaneity that is not achieved no matter how much exhaustive coaching is done. You are born having that something that makes you get hooked on the story of your character. Sublime!

Whoever thinks that we praise the oldest behavior in the world is seeing the brusqueness in the other's eye and not the essence that the director wanted to capture.

This was an attempt super ahead of its time, to capture the experiences (as I said) of our teenage pasts, but in a fresh way in its time, which has aged over time in its almost 24 years of release, perhaps independent LGBT + cinema should take note and reconsider both how it is produced, how it is directed, how it is structured and how it is done properly and without so many unnecessary clichés, excellent films and even with messages.

Like a good wine, we as adults now enjoy this work, which wastes almost nothing... or perhaps it should have had more time.

Perhaps it is a comedy, so that we all play the cassette back as we say here and have a good laugh, remembering in a way that is neither boring nor dull, those years of adolescence where we sent the limits to the green meadows.

The title of my review is an extract from the song "Hoy Voy A Gozar De Ti" by Lefty Pérez.