(2005) ילדים טובים

In Tel Aviv, 17 year-old Meni (Daniel Efrat) wears only the most fashionable clothes, is interested in music, loves the cinema, and works as a rent boy. He is the father of the baby of former girlfriend Mika (Nili Tzerruya), a young drug addict prostitute. Mika has serious mental problems with drug abuse and is also homeless. She shows up at Meni's apartment and they have lengthy conversations about themselves and their daughter. Meni has an adoptive mother Grace (Gila Goldstein) who is a trans-gender prostitute, and clients that contact him on his cell-phone. One night he meets Tal (Yuval Raz), also a hustler and they decide to spend the night together. During that night their lives take on a new meaning, and in the morning they decide to meet later at a club. Until the meeting, both of them have to deal with their weary routine of clients, marginalized people, and unexpected events.

One evening a voyeuristic john enlists the pair to have sex together. But the experience proves to be more than just a simple trick: it stirs up feelings between Meni and Tal, and they decide to meet again the next day. But they never see each other. Meni becomes upset. Tal gets picked by a brutal, vicious, corrupt cop (Dvir Benedek), who becomes his pimp. He is beaten up and badly abused, and Tal retaliates by killing him. Mika drops off her little girl with one of Meni's friends and goes back to prostitution. Meni tries to talk her into coming back with him, but she refuses. Then Meni tries to give his little girl to her parents but they refuse. In the meantime, Tal tries to find Meni but fails and goes back to his apartment and bed, falling asleep crying. Meni and a friend with his daughter watch a sunrise, and the movie ends.

Stirring and sexy, with emotional depth, "Yeladim Tovim" was written and directed by Yair Hochner, a high school film teacher and film critic for Israel’s “Seret” cinema website. His love of moves permeates every frame, with inspiration from Godard, Gus Van Sant, John Cooper, and John Waters. It has the look of a documentary in its simplicity and candor, and the dedicated performances, strong scripting and good direction adds up to a very good film. Eli Surani composed the music score. In Hebrew with English subtitles. The English title is "Good Boys".

Ang Lihim ni Antonio (2008)

In Manila, 15 year-old Antonio (or Tong) (Kenji Garcia) is a curious and confident young man who is newly aware of his homosexuality. Tong’s exploration of his identity unfolds as his family begins to break up. His mother Tere (Shamaine Buencamino) is in denial that his father has abandoned them. During a sleepover at his friend Nathan’s (Nino Fernandez), after a night of drinking and aroused by normal adolescent sex talk, Tong makes a pass at his sleeping friend. Much to his surprise, Nathan does not offer any resistance, and the two boys share their first sexual experience. Unfortunately, a satisfying and memorable night turns into disappointment when Nathan starts avoiding Tong the next day. Sensing something isn’t right, his best friend Mike (Jiro Manio) becomes curious. Tong is forced to tell the truth and comes out to him. Mike is totally supportive, and generally offers a comedic side to this otherwise serious film.

Soon Tong’s hedonistic and very hot 25 year-old uncle Jonbert (Josh Ivan Morales) arrives from the province to stay with him and his mom for a few weeks. Things begin to unravel as Jonbert becomes Tong’s sexual obsession, and the uncle reciprocates. A shocking tragedy begins to spiral up and as a result Tong's mother saves her son by stabbing and killing Jonbert. The intense ending leaves the audience with a feeling of disturbed emotions as Tong and his mother are escorted by the authorities.

"Ang Lihim ni Antonio" confronts the taboo topic of incest head on while giving an authentic portrait of middle-class life in Manila. It's a raw and honest look at the not-so-secret, and sometimes downright depraved sex life of sexually frustrated teenage boys. This rich story is of a confused young man, growing up with few positive role models, who makes crucial choices and is forced to face their tragic consequences. The scene-stealer of the movie is Shamaine Buencamino who plays Antonio's mother. Her acting, particularly in the last part of the movie, is brilliant. The film uses a sometimes wobbly handheld camera without much of a musical soundtrack, except for the occasional tunes from the acoustic guitar of a neighborhood musician, making it a voyeuristic and intimate affair. There are explicit sex scenes, adult content, and one graphic scene of violence. Currently, this film is one of the highest grossing Filipino digital films in history. Lex Bonife wrote the screenplay, and Joselito Altarejos directed. In Tagalog with English Subtitles. The English title is "Antonio’s Secret".