End of the Century (Fin de siglo)
Argentinean writer and director Lucio Castro makes a striking feature debut with End of the Century (Fin de siglo) a gay romantic drama that doesn’t shy away from issues of erotic desire and sexual identity.
Juan Barberini plays Ocho, an Argentinean on vacation in Barcelona, who hooks up for casual sex with Javi (Ramon Pujol).
The two men soon realize that they have met before, 20 years earlier in 1999, when they were both in the closet, too afraid to pursue a relationship with each other.
Sharply observed, with attention to detail, the tale builds momentum in its unknowable charted journey. In one exhilarating scene, the duo, who are extremely appealing, dance to Flock of Seagulls’ “Space Age Love Song,” showing the joy and freedom in expressing their erotic desire.
The film also stars Mía Maestro as Sonia, Javi’s girlfriend at the time of the original meeting.
After its world premiere at the 2019 New Directors/New Films Festival, the film had its Argentine premiere on April 8 at the Buenos Aires Festival of Independent Cinema, where it won the award for Best Argentine Film.
It subsequently screened at other LGBT fests, and won the Best First Feature Award at the Frameline Film Festival.
Note:
If you want to know more about gay director and gay films, please read my book:
Credits:
Directed and written by Lucio Castro
Produced by Joanne Lee
Written by Lucio Castro
Music by Robert Lombardo
Cinematography: Bernat Mestres
Edited by Lucio Castro
Production company: Alsina 427, JWProductions
Release date: March 30, 2019 (New Directors / New Films Festival)
Running time: 84 minutes