The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros
Official poster
Directed by	Auraeus Solito
Written by	Michiko Yamamoto
Starring	Nathan Lopez JR Valentin Ping Medina
Production company	UFO Pictures Cinemalaya
Distributed by	Unitel Pictures (Philippines) Star Cinema (Philippines) Peccadillo Pictures (UK) Unico Entertainment (US) Cathay-Keris Films (Singapore)
Release dates	July 13, 2005 (2005-07-13) (Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival) November 30, 2005 (2005-11-30) (Philippines (selected cinemas))
Running time	100 min.
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (Filipino: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros) is a 2005 Filipino coming-of-age film about a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his family. The film competed under 1st Cinemalaya Film Festival in 2005. The film was the official entry of the Philippines to the 79th Academy Awards. It holds the distinction of being one of the very few digital films released in 2005 to do well at the tills. It also made the rounds of international film festivals.

Synopsis

Maxi (Nathan Lopez) is a 12-year-old effeminate gay boy who lives in the slums with his father and brothers who are petty thieves. The story primarily revolves around the conflict between his love for handsome young police officer Victor (JR Valentin), and his family's illegal livelihood. Neo-realist in orientation, the film is a tale of lost innocence and redemption amidst the poverty of Manila's slums.

Maxi behaves like a girl, wearing clips or hairband in his hair and bangles on his wrists and even wearing lipstick. He is teased by neighbors and former school friends. His sexuality is, however, fully accepted by his two brothers and by his father. One night, he is accosted by two men who attempt to molest him, but is saved by the appearance of Victor. Victor does not have a girlfriend and his sexuality is kept ambiguous. However, he does rebuff Maxi's advances. In a key event, Maxi's father, his brother Bogs, and Bogs' friends hatch a plan to teach Victor a lesson. They leave him bloodied and beat up. Just as Victor saved him, it was Maxi who arrived to rescue Victor and stopped the beating. He then went on to clean Victor's wounds and cook breakfast for him. Maxi felt sorry and felt somehow responsible for his demise. Victor then affectionately stroked Maxi's hair and Maxi stole a kiss.

After Maxi's father is killed by Victor's boss, Maxi resists Victor's attempts to renew their friendship. The closing scene shows Maxi walking past Victor who has parked by the roadside on Maxi's way to school. He ignores Victor as he passes him, hesitates momentarily as he crosses the road, then goes on his way. This last scene is a homage to the final scene of "The Third Man".

Cast

• Nathan Lopez as Maximo Oliveros
• Soliman Cruz as Paco Oliveros
• JR Valentin as Victor Perez / Maxi's friend / Police Officer
• Neil Ryan Sese as Boy Oliveros
• Ping Medina as Bogs Oliveros

Awards

See also

• List of submissions to the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
• List of Philippine submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

External links

• The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros at the Internet Movie Database
• Analysis of The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros on Lit React