Hugo, a young man living in Osorno, southern Chile, has to face reality as he gets his girlfriend pregnant. What is worse, the girl is the daughter of Hugo's employer. Hugo is befriended by Octavio, a local young man from the area, who is a boxer. The two men feel comfortable with each other. On a camping trip, Octavio, showing all signs of having fallen for Hugo, kisses him, something that he never saw coming.
Octavio suffers from what appears to be epilepsy. After the fights, we watch him writhing on the floor, uncontrollably. A doctor tells him point blank he must get away from the ring because he stands the chance of suffering brain damage. With no prospects to make a living in the south, the pair, having become lovers, decide to try their luck in Santiago. Once there, they have to face reality, there are no jobs for Hugo, but Octavio is hired as a barber.
Life in the city turns out to be hard for Hugo, until he meets Jenny, a nice young woman who offers him a job in her father's pet supply shop. It does not take long before the attraction both feel becomes apparent. Octavio, unaware of the situation, decides to try to get in the ring again, a dangerous decision indeed. Jenny discovers where Hugo lives, but meets Octavio instead, who recognizes the situation between Hugo and the young woman. Octavio, despondent after the betrayal decides to go back to boxing, which proves to be a risky decision.
A surprising film from Chile, written and directed by Julio Jorquera Arriagada, presents an not too common situation between two young men from working class backgrounds. Octavio takes the role of the man, while Hugo stays at home because of the lack of a job. Their situation is probably rare in that people of their social status will probably try to suppress their sexual attraction by whatever means. It is clear Octavio loves Hugo, but one never feels his love is returned one hundred percent by the other.
There seems to be a case of bisexuality in Hugo. The appearance of Jenny in Hugo's life could not come at a worse moment. Not only that, but what hurts Octavio the most is the way Hugo betrays what he felt was true love. Being a simple minded individual Octavio does not know how to deal with his situation. Going back to the dangerous world of boxing is a way for Octavio to escape what he if feeling not realizing what Hugo has been doing behind his back. The hurtful situation is too much to Octavio; he cannot accept what life had dealt him when his happiness is shattered.
The two principals, Roberto Farias, seen as Octavio and Hector Morales playing Hugo, pays off for Mr. Jorquera. The other lead, Manuela Martelli, seen as Jenny, is only seen briefly, but she is convincing as the young woman unaware the man she falls for is in a homosexual relationship. Mr. Farias and Mr. Morales compliment each other well. The film was probably done with a small budget.
The dark cinematography by Sergio Armstrong adds a layer to the story which goes from the rainy atmosphere of the South of Chile to the gray skies in Santiago in winter. The music score is credited to Fernando Milagros which adds texture to the story. Mr. Jorquera seems well suited to go to bigger things in the Chilean cinema.
Octavio suffers from what appears to be epilepsy. After the fights, we watch him writhing on the floor, uncontrollably. A doctor tells him point blank he must get away from the ring because he stands the chance of suffering brain damage. With no prospects to make a living in the south, the pair, having become lovers, decide to try their luck in Santiago. Once there, they have to face reality, there are no jobs for Hugo, but Octavio is hired as a barber.
Life in the city turns out to be hard for Hugo, until he meets Jenny, a nice young woman who offers him a job in her father's pet supply shop. It does not take long before the attraction both feel becomes apparent. Octavio, unaware of the situation, decides to try to get in the ring again, a dangerous decision indeed. Jenny discovers where Hugo lives, but meets Octavio instead, who recognizes the situation between Hugo and the young woman. Octavio, despondent after the betrayal decides to go back to boxing, which proves to be a risky decision.
A surprising film from Chile, written and directed by Julio Jorquera Arriagada, presents an not too common situation between two young men from working class backgrounds. Octavio takes the role of the man, while Hugo stays at home because of the lack of a job. Their situation is probably rare in that people of their social status will probably try to suppress their sexual attraction by whatever means. It is clear Octavio loves Hugo, but one never feels his love is returned one hundred percent by the other.
There seems to be a case of bisexuality in Hugo. The appearance of Jenny in Hugo's life could not come at a worse moment. Not only that, but what hurts Octavio the most is the way Hugo betrays what he felt was true love. Being a simple minded individual Octavio does not know how to deal with his situation. Going back to the dangerous world of boxing is a way for Octavio to escape what he if feeling not realizing what Hugo has been doing behind his back. The hurtful situation is too much to Octavio; he cannot accept what life had dealt him when his happiness is shattered.
The two principals, Roberto Farias, seen as Octavio and Hector Morales playing Hugo, pays off for Mr. Jorquera. The other lead, Manuela Martelli, seen as Jenny, is only seen briefly, but she is convincing as the young woman unaware the man she falls for is in a homosexual relationship. Mr. Farias and Mr. Morales compliment each other well. The film was probably done with a small budget.
The dark cinematography by Sergio Armstrong adds a layer to the story which goes from the rainy atmosphere of the South of Chile to the gray skies in Santiago in winter. The music score is credited to Fernando Milagros which adds texture to the story. Mr. Jorquera seems well suited to go to bigger things in the Chilean cinema.