ESTEROS/WETLANDS
Argentina, 2016, 86 minutes, Colour.
Ignacio Rogers, Esteban Masturini, Joaquin Parada, Blas Finardi Niz, Maria Merlino, Renata Calmon.
Directed by Papu Curotto.
Esteros/ Wetlands is a brief Argentinian film about sexual awakening in adolescence, separation for 10 years, a re-meeting and re-awakening. This is a gay theme.
The film shows two young boys who enjoy each other’s company, playing, horsing around, eventually realising a sexual attraction. However, one of the boys has to leave for Brazil where his father has taken a job and he studies a biology course there, returning after 10 years with his girlfriend. In preparation for a fancy dress party, he re-meets his old friend who is doing the make up.
As expected, this puts pressure on the young man who is a professional, interested in biology and the development of the wetlands. There are more flashbacks to their time as children, but most of the action takes place when the two of them revisit the wetlands, talking, re-living the past, having to shelter for rain and stay the night, the sexual re-awakening. Both are left with the consequences for the future.
- The title? Argentinian? The Wetlands? The visuals of the wetlands, homes, the waters, land? The background of the family homes in the past, the town, fancy dress party? The musical score?
- The introduction to Jeronimo and Matias, their age, friendship, sharing the pastimes, fooling around, wrestling, swimming, showers, and the mother taking so many photos? The flashbacks throughout the film, the first sexual encounter?
- Matias, his father’s job, going to Brazil, disappearing for 10 years, studies, returning, the girlfriend, preparing for the fancy dress party, zombies, his observing? His relationship with Rochi? His future with her?
- Jeronimo, staying in the town, house on the wetlands, his parents? Technician, special effects, make up? Gay, acknowledging this? His friends?
- Meeting again with Matias, talking, questions? The decision to visit the wetlands, the day there, reliving old experiences, sharing? Caught in the rain, staying the night? The sexual encounter? The consequences?
- Matias, returned to town, Rochi leaving, his staying, his work, with Jeronimo?
