Out In Town

Cielo Dividido - Gay Love Without Words

Gay love without words seems to be the theme of Cielos Divididos (Broken Sky) a movie by Julian Hernandez. Very small dialogue and an intense display of emotions on the screen is what awaited me inside the theater. The story in itself did not seem uncommon: boy-A meets boy-B, boy-A falls in love with boy-B, boy-A meets boy-C, boy-A distances himself from boy-B because of boy-C, boy-A regrets (kind of late) pushing away boy-B and finally pushed-away boy-B meets and falls for boy-D. However, the lack of dialogue is what gives this movie an edge. It leaves all the weight on the actors’ shoulders and the young men - surprisingly - deliver. It is a long and repetitive movie in many instances, but without any dialogue to rely upon, in the end it seems that these repetitions are needed to help the audience feel the characters, understand the script and follow the story.

Inside a packed theater at the edge of LA’s Mecca of the gay community – West Hollywood – I would have been surprised if I was the only one leaving the theater feeling touched, in some way, by the film’s plot. The other three friends that attended the film with me liked it and saw it somewhat differently from each other. I guess when there aren’t any words confirming or denying what one thinks is happening, our brains work overtime to fill in the blanks. The plot itself was not complicated, but the little nuances (left by the lack of dialogue) in the three main characters left lots of room to think. The entire movie was filmed in Mexico City, mostly in the UNAM university campus. Thus giving a glimpse of Mexico City’s gay world and depicting it as very acceptable by society.

I could not help but to think that this film was a reflection of a sad truth within the community. The lack of strong ties – forced or whatnot – such as children, marriage, in addition to closeted lives and a judgmental society make it easier to undervalue one’s relationship. The two young men’s relationship is suddenly shaken by the inopportune appearance of a third man. Even though there was no sexual encounter with this third man, the infatuation that is created eventually ends their relationship. It was unavoidable to wonder what I would do if I was in this situation: as one falling for someone else besides my partner or as being the one pushed away because my partner fell for someone else. And just as the film there was very little dialogue on my part in regards to these questions. There isn’t much to control here once the chemicals in the brain wear off. Is every gay relationship destined to end like this? I know for a fact that this is not like that. There are many that do last. How does one make it last? Where are those "gay-partner" counseling sessions ... do they even exist? Who has the secret to a successful "partnership" and why is he/she not sharing it with the rest of the community? I just hope that when I’m ready to settle down, I'm humble enough to seek help so that in turn my relationship will be like one of those many that do last.

posted by Guerrero Azteca @ 4:47 PM