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Absent (2011 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Absent' is a 2011 Spanish-language drama film directed by Argentine director Marco Berger. The film tackles the notion of sexual abuse of students, but director Marco Berger flips the dynamic. In this film, a young man wants to lure his teacher into a sexual relationship, rather than the other way round (i.e. where an older individual in a position of authority or trust becomes infatuated with a minor and lures the minor into a sexual relationship).
Synopsis
The story is told by Sebastin (Carlos Echevarra), the sports coach who becomes the object of a student's affection. Martn (Javier De Pietro) is a 16-year-old student who is attracted to his coach, Sebastin. Sebastin tries to keep Martn at a distance, but at the same time tries to be kind and nurturing. Martn goes to great lengths in his attempt to get close to his teacher. When Martn hurts his eye during his swimming class, Sebastin initially takes him to the hospital. After treatment, Sebastin offers Martn a ride home. However, Martn was supposed to spend the night at a friend's house, so no one is expecting him to come home that night. Martn spends the night at Sebastin's house. Things come to a head when Sebastin realizes that he was being lied to and punches Martn in the face. He is not angry from disgust for being the object of Martn's desire, rather because Martn's dishonesty could potentially cost the coach his job. Offended, Martn taunts Sebastin, telling him to call the police and suggesting it would cause greater problems for Sebastin. Later, Martn accidentally falls off a roof after retrieving a neighbor's soccer ball, and Sebastin finds himself filled with remorse.
Style
The director is vague on certain plot points. In the last images, for example, there is a shot of Sebastin gently kissing Martn on the lips. It is not clear whether this actually happened or only occurred in Sebastin's imagination. It is also unclear whether Martn accidentally fell to his death, or whether it was suicide, driven by Sebastin's rejection. The viewer is kept contemplating if a romantic relationship had occurred, and if it did, if it is immoral in itself regardless of consent.
Reception
When the film won the "Teddy Award for Best Feature" by the Teddy Award Independent Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), the judging committee praised it as a film with "an original screenplay, an innovative aesthetic and a sophisticated approach, which creates dynamism. A unique combination of homoerotic desire, suspense and dramatic tension."[http://www.queerblog.it/post/10434/cine-gay-teddy-award-allargentino-ausente Queerblog Italy: Cine gay: Teddy Award all'argentino Ausente di Marco Berger]
During the Berlinale, The Hollywood Reporter published a review stating: "Despite its original twist on the tired pedophilia topic, 'Absent 'skirts the fringes of dull and would be commercially dismissable, were it not for the edgy mixing job and hyped-up soundtrack that together create a sense of artificial excitement. (...) The small cast is well-chosen and de Pietro, in his first film role, is a real discovery who opens up his character of Martin in ever surprising ways."
Cast
*Carlos Echevarra as Sebastin
*Javier De Pietro as Martn
*Antonella Costa as Mariana
*Roco Pavn as Anala
*Alejandro Barbero as Juan Pablo
Awards and nominations
*2011: The film won the Teddy Awards for "Best feature film" at the Berlin International Film Festival
*2011: The actor Javier De Pietro was nominated for "Best New Actor" for his role Martn in the film during the Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences Awards
See also
*'Hawaii' (2013 film)
*'Plan B' (2009 film)
References
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