Broken Sky (2005)

Love and lust

Not being versed in queer cinema I was a bit apprehensive when I started seeing this film. My past queer cinema experiences were not that great (Boys Dont Cry, Brokeback Mountain) so I was expecting more of the same shock and awe or apologetic BS from those other films. However I was NOT disappointed. This has got to be one of the most amazing/beautiful/engrossing films I have enjoyed in a while. Julian Hernandez is a true visual poet in a way few other directors are (Kar-Wai; DePalma; Spielberg) and his collaboration with cinematographer Alejandro Cantu, makes for one of the most visually sumptuous films of the last few years. Other users haver complained about the "plotlessness" of the film and I think this is unfortunately a sad side effect of contemporary film culture. If something shocking or fast paced doesnt happen every so often in a film it is quickly cast off as pointless banter. Admittedly this is a film devoid of fast paced action and a structured plot. However this is more of an asset as it forces you to focus your attention on the visual poetry being written on-screen. The lack of dialog is by no means a negative aspect of the film as all the information that you need to know is expressed in visual terms (the true nature of film).

So if you enjoy film, ABSOLUTELY LOVE the art of cinematography PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick this one up. As a supplement you may want to read Armond White's review of this film (NY Press Film Critic and arguably THE BEST film critic in the US). June 7, 2008

Must see

This if a wonderfull, and very artistic, film. This is an example of what an art movie is all about. April 11, 2008

Broken Sky: Movie DVD - (2006)

Two gay university students become entangled in a passionate love affair in which the spark flames out very quickly. Disillusioned, the couple break up and start dating other men. However, once ensconced in their new relationships, the former couple begins to see that they were much happier together than apart. February 5, 2008

Story of a passionate love

After reading the reviews, I was apprehensive about watching Broken Sky. Turns out there were no reason to be because despite its flaws, I really enjoyed this movie which is beautifully filmed. The story is simple and captivating to watch. Gerardo and Jonas meet and begin a passionate affair. The young actors do a great job with their body language and expressive eyes. The sex and kissing scenes are natural as Jonas and Gerardo give themselves unreservedly to each other. On the periphery of their affair is Sergio who longs for Gerardo who ignores him completely.

One night at a nightclub, Jonas dances with another man and becomes infatuated with this stranger who leaves him standing on the dance floor. Jonas loses his passion for Gerardo and thinks about the stranger all the time. Gerardo is hurt by Jonas' rejection and tries to rekindle their passion unsuccessfully. In time, Gerardo begins to reluctantly respond to Sergio's attention. Eventually Gerardo leaves Jonas and embarks on an affair with Sergio even though he does not feel as strongly for Sergio. Alone, Jonas begins to miss Gerardo and remember their love, but sees that he is now involved with Sergio. Jonas makes advances towards Gerardo who responds hoping to recapture their passion. Meanwhile Sergio realizes that Jonas wants Gerardo back and senses something is wrong their relationship. However, Gerardo quickly realizes that he no longer loves Jonas and rejects his sexual advances. Gerardo reunites with Sergio and they profess their love for each other. Using a voiceover, we are told that some time later Jonas calls Gerardo to tell him how he regrets what happens and he will love him forever and they both cry. This poignant voiceover is accompanied by flashbacks to the boys' initial lovemaking and Jonas' encounter with the stranger on the dance floor. I am only giving a detailed synopsis because so many reviewers are understandably confused about the film's plot.

The director knowingly or unknowingly has made in this film in the tradition of Wong Kar-Wai using limited dialogue, music and voiceovers, but the movie has problems. The lack of dialogue hampers the story telling partly because we are so accustomed to dialogue, but also because by the time you discern what is going on in the scene, it is almost over and the next one is on the screen. I can't imagine sitting in a theatre watching this movie, when at home, I had to rewind the DVD several times to catch things because there are dream sequences and memories spliced into the present day scenes which makes the story somewhat confusing. Also, as other reviewers have said the movie is simply too long. The first couple of times that Jonas rejects Gerardo is enough to get the point across so move on. It seems to me that directors of all eras and continents are unable to figure out when it is time to end their movies. Even with this criticism I wish the DVD had commentary or an interview with the director to get some insight into his thought process when he made this interesting and passionate film.

Broken Sky isn't for everyone, but it is a refreshing love story. We all can relate to falling in love and losing that love. There are no manufactured obstacles coming between the young lovers instead the story unfolds naturally. Also, it was great to see a gay love story not focused on the angst of coming out or AIDS or homophobia or the gay guy falling for his straight best friend.
February 3, 2008

Unconventional ...the challenges of Love in IMAGES

The story is a familiar one , yet told in such an UNconventional manner .Perhaps some 15 to 20 minutes too long , but overall ,being - moved so emotionaly more than once and especially during the ending images made me forget what might be a topic for discussion .How well... FEELINGS are conveyed to the spectator just through IMAGES ,the use of color,close ups and ocasional MUSIC which I have here made a brief compilation for FANS of this film .
All mexican artists - many from Monterrey and available online here at amazon ,to listen and support with a purchase :-) . artist Volovan , album VOLOVAN Volovan. artist ELY Guerra ,album LOTOFIRE - track -prometo ser Lotofire. artist Jose Jose ,album Tan cerca ,tan lejos . Tan Cerca Tan Lejos
Enjoy
...also, check out LAST LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE/DVDLast Life in the Universe
January 19, 2008

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