in the arts
from October 2007

The Filipino movie The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is a complex film to unravel - like peeling the layers of an onion and yes, tears are created as well. The storyline is, however, straightforward. It is set in downtown Manila in a neighborhood dominated by petty crime and protection rackets. Maximo Oliveros is a 12 year old who lives with his brothers and father who are involved in a variety of scams. Maximo is outrageously camp as he sashays down the street. He cooks, cleans and sews for his family (mother having died) - every inch the oh-so-cute domestic goddess. With few exceptions, his delight in dressing up for local 'Miss Universe’ talent contests is met with bemused acceptance by the community.

The arrival of a decidedly pretty, butch policeman in the precinct is the catalyst for trouble. Maxi falls in love with this hero but his advances are eventually rejected. The police arrest one of the brothers on a suspected murder charge and tragedy follows before they decide to turn over a new leaf; and the film ends with Maxi dressed soberly in school uniform, rather than floral shorts and hair grips, setting out for school to realise a more aspirational life style.

This film certainly gives a positive view of growing up gay - Maxi’s effeminate gestures are just accepted as youthful idiosyncrasies. The family is a close, affectionate unit and the dressing up is regarded as fun and nothing abnormal. Maxi is self-confident with a friendly smile for everybody - a really nice drag-queen in the making. The strong sense of neighbourhood and community in an Asian setting does help the atmosphere of toleration. Rainswept northern urban dereliction on the other hand creates a sense of despair and tension that tends to work against sexual integration. Sunshine does make us feel happier.

There are darker elements in the subplot of Maxi’s attraction for the hunky policeman - shades of the current scourge of child abuse in Asia. Maxi is well aware of his homoerotic appeal as he poses seductively in company. But both Maxi and policeman behave with good taste and decorum - with only a brief kiss. However there is always the danger that placing a pretty 12 year-old as the hero of a film may attract a doubtful audience and at times the viewing can be an uncomfortable experience if you reflect on this point. You have to admire the superb acting skills of Ang Pagdadalaga in carrying off this part with aplomb as he navigates the minefield of coming to terms with sexual awareness and longings as well as the clash of loyalties between the family and the law.

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros shows that there is some dignity in a poverty stricken existence. Like Billy Elliott, Maxi is a role model for encouraging us to believe that you can cope with a failed love, and use education as a way of moving to a safer, better way of life. Adults know that life is often more often bitter than sweet but that shouldn’t stop us from just stopping and considering how we might help to recreate dreams instead of taking the negative perspective - the prerogative of the old queen propping up the bar in a gay club.

The direction of the film is self assured and the narrative well paced. Generic messages about the importance of families, toleration of diversity and the corrupting effects of crime and violence are given which we can all support. The upbeat ending does take us away from the familiar theme of homophobic bullying - the staple of gay cinema or so it seems at time. Western youngsters, cynical about education might be surprised at the message that schooling is a positive way forward for Maxi. We can certainly enjoy our rendezvous with Maxi - a delightful companion for short while and can only wish him well for the future. How many of us perhaps dressed up like Maxi at his age - don’t answer!

Nick Tyldesley