

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) (2005) (Philippines) 

Director: Aureaus Solito
Cast: Nathan Lopez, JR Valentin, Soliman Cruz, Ping Medina, Neil Ryan Sese

This film will be screened in Sundance Film Festival 2006.
see
http://festival.sundance.org/filmguide/popup.aspx?film=6617

It recently garnered the Best Film in Asian Festival of First Films .

The official website ...
see
http://maximooliveros.tripod.com/

Well, since there are some Filipinos on this board, I wonder if they have watched it ...

My thoughts ...
-- Well, what makes the film worth watching is really 
... the various contrasts that prevail
... the change/range of emotions over the film ...
... food for thought issues ...

Example of some contrasts 
(i) In the beginning, there is the contrast of a "horrible" slum and a "pretty" flower on the teen ...
(ii) the acceptance of gay ... and the rejection of gay ...
(iii) the happiness in life ... and the sadness in life ... 
(iv) the good cops ... and the bad cops ...

Example of emotions 
... hmmm, that is for you to experience, not for me to write ... ha ha ha

Example of some food for thought 
-- Most noteworthy (to me), I believe that not many people will think about it, BUT I find it worthwhile to ask those who have watched/or want to watch ... After the film, do most people take the side of the teen? It is interesting to assess if anyone does take the side of the policeman ... I actually empathize the policeman too ...
-- When one is torn between right and wrong, which should prevail ...
-- When one is torn between love and family, which should prevail ...
etc

-- In a way, the film challenges perceptions ...
-- As for what could be better ... I wonder if audience might find the initial scenes rather "simplistic" or "comical" or even at times, "exaggerated" (in portrayal/acting) ... but survive it, and the story gets better with some depth ...

Conclusion:
Above average ... worth a watch ... I thought the second half of the film saved it ...