Absent

"Absent" takes on a very controversial subject and presents us with a very real question: what would you do? This appears to be about a sixteen year old swimmer and his infatuation with his instructor. It also seems to be about the instructor's desire to help the boy who has no place to go due to a series of unfortunate events that keep him from getting into his home. We see, very early into the story, that this kid is wise beyond his years. Or is he? We also see the teacher, who is either very kind or very stupid, allowing himself to be put into a compromising situation. Our sympathy and admiration goes right to the teacher, because we realize he is concerned for the boy's safety. We also want to smack him once it's officially obvious that his pupil is up to no good. So it goes until perhaps two-thirds into the film. That's when we begin to see who is gaming who. Or if anyone is being gamed. That's really the beginning of the story. But that's all the plot you get from me.The acting is excellent, especially the complex student/teacher interaction. They make us ask ourselves some very uncomfortable questions. The script is lean, with a lot of visuals where words would slow things down. The editing and the directing are what makes this whole thing work so well. The soundtrack is low key, and it lurks in the background until we realize it's creeping us out. The photography invites us in, and we can't help but feel, at times, that we're peeking into someone's life uninvited. If you like cerebral, psychological films, this is for you. If you're expecting lots of action and noise, you probably won't care for it. I would give it five stars, but there were one or two moments that left me saying "huh??" I'll watch it again, and maybe I'll get clarification very early into the film. That's how this one works...remember my comment about the editing.

This film is not as dark in nature as people say, and the story is very well written. The point of the story is very well taken, as always, Marco Berger tells a story that leaves me thinking about it for days. Hawaii still haunts me by its impression of how two people can connect, even when they can't go any further physically, it is still the deepest connection.. As usual, Marco Berger does not disappoint, but not his best work. The acting is superb, even the annoying girlfriend was annoying enough to be believable. However, it was difficult to watch because there was some haziness in the film, like it had some double exposure or was left out in the sun or something. Also, there were places that the lightning was very dark, so it was difficult to see. I can only give it 3 stars because of this. I think if it was in theaters and it was clear I could give it 4. Still, it is worth watching.

ABSENT has got to be one of the most intriguing films I've ever watched. A romance flick turned thriller just when you think you know where it's going. The very handsome Javier De Pietro is "Martin Blanco" a 16 year old student who joins a swim team mostly because he is highly attracted to the swim instructor "Sebastian" (Carlos Echevarria)and soon devises a plan of seduction to get what he wants.What he actually gets is a bit of resistance from the 30-something, engaged instructor who is not so quick to show interest in the student, and is worried about his career and reputation should anyone, especially Martin, find out about his mutual attraction. But somewhere along the way, things take a dramatic twist and lead Sebastian down a road that he just might not survive.I have to admit this film didn't go where I thought it should. What plays out is a scenario I not only didn't expect, but was certainly not hoping for in my own fantasy, as I eagerly watched, with anticipation of Martin's plan coming to fruition. I like this film but it is very vague in places and will leave you scratching your head as to exactly what is transpiring. IN the end the pieces come together so the viewer understands what's going on. If you get tired of trying to figure it out and turn it off, you'll never understand the plot of this flick. You have to stick with it to the end to appreciate it.The dark scenes I now understand but at the time I was a little unhappy squinting my eyes to make out the image at hand. If you're expecting a happy romantic ending, you won't find it here, but if you appreciate the seductive smile of a young man who is very determined, coy, secretive, smooth acting and elusively slips into the shadows of the moment, to carry out his sinister romantic intentions, you'll be intrigued as was I.Very well done! The acting is excellent on the part of both De Pietro and Echevarria, who portray their characters exquisitely! Spanish with English subtitles that often move along very rapidly as the dialogue becomes heavy and somewhat distracts from your viewing of the film. You may find yourself replaying portions that moved along too quickly to keep up with.While I was a little disappointed with the plot of this film and I really don't get into thrillers per se, it kept me intrigued enough to hold my attention. The acting of De Pietro (Martin) seduced me into following into all the dark crevices of his scheme. I recommend the film for your viewing, but be prepared to pay close attention. Probably better viewed alone or with someone who doesn't distract you while watching films together.

A very good film. And very typical of Marco Berger films in that the development of the story is unusual and unexpected. It starts off with what we think of as an attempted entrapment of a school swimming teacher by a devious gay student, but then ricochets off into a sad story of unfulfilled love. The teacher is a bit of a misery and one wonders what the boy sees in him, and also why he doesn't act more sensibly, but we gradually realise that what happens in the film is spurred on by mutual, not unilateral, attraction.(Thank you, Amazon. I got the DVD the day after I ordered it, as promised.)

This is an Argentinean film from director Marco Berger who brought us `Plan B'. It tells the story of Martin (Javier De Pietro) a swarthy, sixteen year old schoolboy, who has a crush on his teacher, which I am led to believe is a pretty common event. Martins' teacher though is Sebastian (Carlos Echivarria) and he is the sports teacher. One day at swim class Martin feigns an eye injury and the Proffessore has to take him to the eye doctor. Martin though has unhatched a cunning plan that sees him getting to stay the night with his teacher and closer to the object of his desires.Martin just keeps pushing the boundaries all the time but in a kind of innocent way and his teacher just isn't sure what is going on. The following day he starts to realise that Martin is not so innocent and this leads to further complications and gets the emotions of both of them all mixed up.This film is like waiting for a bomb to explode, it is dripping with a brooding quality of lasciviousness that keeps you hooked. There are no bad performances and the development of the characters is both believable and engaging. The musical score is excellent too with just the right amount of mood to compliment the film rather than trying to be a barometer for your emotions.This is a story of the follies of young adult lust and not about the bedroom gymnastics, so if you are looking for something that you want to `interact' with, this is definitely not for you. It is a slow burner and it won't be to everybody's taste, the ending is also fairly ambiguous, so please be warned, but it had me gripped throughout. In Spanish with good subs this is one for World cinema fans and those who like gay themed films.

Director Marco Berger has accomplished a great deal in film, and his  Plan B [DVD ] in particular has received many a deserving accolade. It was largely for this reason that I was eager to see "Absent". The premise is somewhat unusual in that the young protagonist Martin, exploring his own sexuality seeks to seduce his older teacher Sebastian, as opposed to exploring such amongst his peers. What transpires is an elaborate, albeit deceptive plan, to spend the night with his teacher in the hope that "something happens between them". Indeed a great deal happens, although not in the way the audience expects. The young teacher, who is as reserved as Martin, seems acutely aware of the dangers involved in this interaction. Despite avoiding such, and making alternative arrangements he agrees to allow young Martin to stay in his home. As a comfort he tells his girlfriend what is happening, not to obtain her approval but rather as a means of addressing his own fears. What unfolds over the course of a week, following that night over, is both surprising and intoxicating to watch.The irony being that both characters are equally inhibited in their respective truths, and both seem incapable of addressing such head on. Martin is a little more concerning, in that he has a impulsive and destructive streak, which is unfortunately directed against his infatuation. Not that his teacher is innocent, in that his own underlying desires and unspoken truths, make for an aggressive reaction.Whilst the story itself is titivating, I found many aspects of the film to be stretched and implausible. Whilst I understand an infatuation and how one can attempt seduction, I was not convinced by the teacher/pupil dynamic. This was especially when considering that the society in which both characters resided, was one which was pervasively and accutely conservative. It was almost as if such a thing would be much more difficult to achieve, and if anything far more scrutinised than it was.The pace was initially very slow, although towards the end of the film it picks up significantly. The characters are well thought out, although at times seems removed. I am not sure that there was a real chemistry between the protagonists, although I concede that this distance may be as a consequence of the setting itself.Absent achieves a great deal, although not in my opinion on the level of Plan B. Nonetheless, t is a film one should watch, as Marco Berger is extremely good at making what seems to be ordinary interactions, to be fraught with underlying tension and twists. Plan B [DVD

It's not a new story, every teacher dreads the attentions of a hormonal adolescent pupil, whether gay or straight. The twist here is the Machiavellian lengths to which Martin goes in his attempt to seduce his PE instructor. Inviting a pupil of either sex to spend the night is a major career risk, and Sebastian has a fright as Martin, having manoeuvered Sebastian into a position where he feels obliged to give the boy a bed for the night, takes a shower, and allows the towel to slip a little as a neighbour talks to Sebastian at the door.From here the film slides into all too familiar territory. The youth becomes more daring, the teacher finds himself attracted to the good-looking pupil, despite being in a (long distance) relationship with a woman.The ending is ambiguous, we never know if Martin & Sebastian move to a physical or emotional relationship, and to be frank, I did not care. A pleasant, well-filmed piece, hence 3 stars, but not especially memorable.

I was in two minds about buying this DVD as I am a fan of both gay movies and also Network Releasing (who I buy The Bill, Heartbeat etc from) and was a little unsure on how good a LGBT movie from Network Releasing would be...But it was a nice surprise. I wont spoil the film for you. But I really did enjoy it and was shocked about the sadness that happened in the middle of the film :(But for under £10 this is a good DVD and I will be watching this again :)