RUBEN’S PLACE

US, 2012, 71 minutes, Colour.
Vint Carmona, David L.Klein, Jason Lieu, Hayward Mc Guffee, Dawson Montoya, Solana Paz, Ray Renati.
Directed by Sam Vasquez.

This is a brief, rather quiet gay-oriented film. Made in 2012, it came at a time when gay audiences said there were insufficient images of themselves in their own stories and own lives on screen.

Ruben has left school, is at home looking after his alcoholic father who then rings his brother to get Ruben a job. He is successful and is promoted by his uncle.

A lot of the action is rather quiet, Ruben at work, at home, with his father, errands which have some criminal background and lead to his uncle’s arrest – but making friends with his uncle’s girlfriend. A friend from school days turns up and Ruben renews acquaintance with him. There had been friendship but now there is the blossoming of love.

There is a subplot about setting up an art centre in the remote town, giving the audience an opportunity to see a wider range of people in the community.

This is a film which may seem slight and inconsequential to mainstream audiences. However, it would be embraced by its target audience.