Juventude Calada

One criteria for an enjoyable movie is LIKABLE characters, of which this flick has ONE. Additonally, something must happen between the principal characters to interest the viewer, which doesn't transpire here. It's about as interesting as Andy Warhol's "Sleep!"

The ending is kind of cryptic but the two young man appear to be holding hands, which is cute -I felt the ending could have been done differently but I don't think it took away from the film because honestly there wasn't much to take away from the film. It's ok, like someone else said: only one likable character (but we only really met 4 characters throughout the whole film). What else can I say about this film to fit the minimum requirement? I have seen much worse gay themed films however so many coming of age/young love stories which are so much better. But this is not a typical gay themed film or coming of age story. The film leaves you with a lot for the imagination (if you even care to postulate) what might have happened to Kirill to make him act the way he does.

I found this movie to be hypnotic and strangely poetic. It's billed as a "coming out" story, or a gay "teen love" story, and it's definitely each of those things, in its own way, but as some descriptions have put it, the movie is actually about awkwardness, alienation, yearning, and ultimately, connection. There is very little action in this film, and even less dialogue. Most of the story is told by implication and through long periods of silence. Many may find this to be frustrating, and I can understand why. This isn't a movie that sets up a premise and then goes through the standard motions of reaching it's conclusion. Like a poem, everything is compressed into a kind of minimalist quality. If you go into this without any expectations, I suspect you'll be pleasantly surprised by the actual underlying story this movie tells. This isn't a standard presentation of a standard story, and I found myself amazed at the tenderness and vulnerability expressed by the two characters in the most unexpected, off-kilter ways. I give this 8 out of 10 stars, as the movie achieves what it sets out to do with a kind of austere, almost detached grace that won't work for every member of the audience.

This movie reminded me of the time when I started dating guys 200 years ago. How to put it: While fighting the internalized homophobia, it's not easy to have a relaxed conversation with someone who also hasn't come out to anyone. Did we have a personality? Probably, but it was hidden. What is unusual in this movie's story is that despite the blocked interpersonal communication and the obvious mental health issues of Kirill, they still stick together. It doesn't end in a one-night stand as it often does in reality at this level of self-acceptance.

Still the first reason why I liked this movie is not the realistic display of silence in our daily lives, but the beautiful visuals. Dawn and sunrise.

This is almost a parody of the depressing Eastern European film cliche. Quiet, somber, and apparently filled with a lot of symbolism that went right over my head. I kept waiting for something to actually happen, or for someone to, please, just SAY something! The entire movie was filled with long, drawn-out scenes of the two guys walking or sitting and just saying almost nothing.

How could either of theses guys been drawn to the other? Neither had any real personality, and the one kid seemed like he was going to jump off a cliff any moment. He was almost catatonic.

Probably one of the weirder movies I've ever seen. But I watched the whole thing, determined to find out where it went. Which seemed to be nowhere.