Trémulo
Directed by Roberto Fiesco
20 min, Mexico, 2015
Working again with the gliding camera of cinematographer Alejandro Cantú [Spanish-language link], an auteur in his own right, and collaborating with the great gay director Julián Hernández on the script, Roberto Fiesco creates another beautiful throwback to popular classic Hollywood (and Italian) in-color filmmaking from the late 60s and 70s.
Trémulo may be even better than his David from 2005, at least in terms of its mastery of mise-en-scène. It’s more or less equal in its emotional impact and in its evocation and reworking of canonical (and heterosexist) cinematic language.
The threesome transform a closed Mexican barber shop, mostly at night during a fireworks-filled independence day, into the most naturally romantic setting, previously unimaginable, for a flirtation, a first date, and a plot-twist fake-out.
A brief dancing interlude and a passionate kiss goodbye, along with other elements, such as a lush, selectively saturated, vintage color palette and a bevy of sexy close-ups, make this short feel like the two gorgeous young men are about to burst into song at any moment, in a wide array of emotional tones and tenors, just like in a Hollywood musical. The film is so full of emotional ideas, we might not even realize it’s a coming-of-age tale until the short’s final shot, a boy’s look of wakefulness directly into the camera.
You can watch Trémulo above or see it, along with four other short films from Mexico, in a compilation called Mexican Men [affiliate link].
Join the Cinesexuals
For updates and bonus movies, join The Cinesexuals Channel on Telegram.
Meet like-minded folks. Share files and sites.
Members can make requests.
Anyone who joins the channel will gain limited access to the Free Gay Movies collection, no questions asked. But you have to introduce yourself!