Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

I have been itching to see this movie and it was only after a friend lends me her copy of the film that I was able to enjoy a true Filipino movie.

What I always adore about indie films is that it has the air of indifference. The writer and the director seemed to be telling you, “This is how I want it to be shown so watch it. I don’t care if you like it or not.” Although I am not saying that indies are better than the multi-million budget movies but stories like Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros should be filmed exactly the way Aureaus Solito did.

The profoundness of the message of the film was overwhelming and although it was a 2.3 hours running time, it seemed too short. The movie evolved with Maxi a pre-teen gay who had a crushed with the new policeman. With his father and brothers being scumbags, it was really a bad news for Maxi. There is murder, fashion show, dirty streets of Tondo and death of a relative. The ending was under the pretext of a happy one if not hopeful.

Although at the beginning, I thought the story would evolve on discrimination about being gay but instead it was surprising how the plot made Maxi’s sexual preference as if it was a natural thing. It does not mock or belittle Maxi’s feelings as a teen but rather even his brothers endorsed it with respect.

It’s a break through for Philippine movie scene. I always believe that we are way far left behind in the science fiction against holiwood but our society is full of enormous potential in terms of movie telling. And there is much more to tell about the Philippines other than prostitutions. And “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” is one of the best examples indie film makers or multi-million film industries should focus on.