This is a remarkable and very moving film. It's not your usual coming-out-as-gay story, since there is not some kind of Werdegang, or even an actual coming out into the open. On the contrary, all of Marcos's attempts to even temporarily break free and try to be himself are harshly thwarted by his strict and dominating mother, and by the ridicule (and even abuse) by some neighboring thugs. The atmosphere in this desolate outskirt of rural Argentina is suffocatingly conservative, sentiments are not allowed for Marcos and his mother and elder brother; it's only work on the dilapidated farm that counts, to try and survive yet another day.
The pace is slow, but due to the clever editing with very short takes the story unfolds in a constant flow, towards an unavoidable tragic conclusion. Dialogues are scarce, the exasperated mother (impressively played by Catalina Saavedra) only gives monosyllabic orders to her docile sons, and Marcos himself hardly utters any words. But young Walter Rodríguez all the more poignantly shows with his face and his attitude all Marcos's inner turmoils and longings and fears.
As other reviewers, I was totally in shock by the end. Sure, I was expecting some sad conlusion (Marcos leaving everything behind him, maybe even suicide), but not this! Apparently the film is based on a true story, so I guess it simply had to be like this. Director Redondo stopped the movie right then and there, making the impact even heavier.
