The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is a story about a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his family.

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 (J. R. Valentin), and his family's illegal livelihood. Neorealist 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 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 his is saved by the appearance of Victor. Victor does not have a girlfriend, and his sexuality is never revealed. He rebuffs Maxi's advances, even when the boy steals a kiss, only affectionately stoking the boy's head.

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.

Awards

Year	Film Festival/Award	Award	Category/Recipient
2007	IFC Spirit Awards	Independent Spirit Awards 2007	Best Foreign Film (Nominee)
2006	Berlin International Film Festival	Glass Bear - Special Mention	Best Feature Film
2006	Berlin International Film Festival	Teddy Award	Best Feature Film
2006	Gawad Urian Awards	Gawad Urian Award	Best Picture
2006	Las Palmas Film Festival, Spain	Best Actor	Nathan Lopez
2006	Las Palmas Film Festival, Spain	Golden Lady Harimaguada	Auraeus Solito
2005	Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Philippines	Balanghai Trophy	Best Production Design
2005	Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Philippines	Special Citation	Nathan Lopez
2005	Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Philippines	Special Jury Prize	Auraeus Solito
2005	Montreal World Film Festival 2005, Quebec	Golden Zenith Award for Best Picture
2005	imagineNative Film Festival, Toronto	Best Picture
2005	Asian Festival of 1st Films, Singapore	Best Film

The film was the official entry of the Philippines to the 2007 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.