José

Form beginning to end, this film never fails to capture the true nature of relationships. It almost too brutally showcases the heart-wrenching struggles of relationships, and how truly incomprehensible the extra strife that gay people go through is. Anchored by a top notch performance and brilliant use of the Guatemalan landscape (physically and socially), this film delivers layers that will stick with you.

Jose is the only child who is still living at home with his mother, with both having to start a commute before dawn to their respective jobs. Jose's sexual release is with men in a hotel that rents rooms by the hour. When offered chances for a long-term relationship, Jose has a battle between love and loyalty to his mother.

I saw this film at the Inside Out LGBT film festival, with a Q+A with the co-writer. The director and writers spent time in Central America interviewing subjects, and this is a composite of their research. Unfortunately, references to Guatemalan culture and history could be lost to foreigners. Rather crucial to the story is the frequency mothers may hang on to their youngest children to avoid being alone (there is a reference to Jose's sisters). Other references are to a civil war and an earthquake, both of which killer a great number of people, but may be extraneous to the main theme of choices in life.

The film is shot in a raw, gritty style, but that suits the environment the characters live in.

Once you start watching this film by Director: Li Cheng and Writers: Li Cheng, George F. Roberson, you cannot stop. I found myself wondering how Jose' would find a balance between his own personal identity, his needy but very caring mother, his demanding and dangerous job, and doing his best to live in a corrupt society poisoned by church doctrine.

Jose' and. Luis relationship is the greater part of this rather sad but at the same time joyful story. Luis wants to settle down with Jose' but Jose' is torn between his relationship needs and caring for his mother. You will come to care about Jose', he seems to be an honest person.

The sad fact is that Guatemala is a poor corrupt country strangled by 'the church' that demands obedience and cares nothing for hunger and want.

I recently saw "Jose" at "Censurados" film festival in Lima, Peru - they specialize in featuring international films that are facing difficulty reaching some audiences / some countries because of censorship: due to government, industry, and/or social barriers. So I think it's an especially important film be seen and debated, I say let the public decide for themselves. My main observation/interpretation of the film is this: at the beginning of the film, Jose is disconnected from his Mayan cultural heritage (what academics call "erasure", due to colonialism and neo-colonialism). As he faces multiple problems he goes searching and re-connects with Mayan knowledge and spiritual space at a place called "Quirgua", and then he sets out on life again with renewed determination and inspiration - though life won't be easy (that message would be dishonest)

In the middle of the movie, there is at least 15 minutes of romantic scenes of Jose and Luis - making love, covering each other, eating together, driving on a motorcycle, kissing, etc, are the single most romantic scenes I have ever seen in a movie, yep you are right, that is, including all heterosexual movies. The extra hot sexual scenes in the DVD version is such a big plus.

Come on guys, don't you feel it?