There are a number of cliches in any average gay film, including:
- the nervousness of browsing the gay mags in a newsagents
- unrequited love
- come out to their best female friend who confesses her love for him
- the father reacts angrily
Sasha had this all. Sasha, the older son of a Montenegro family who moved to Germany 20 years ago as a result of the Yugoslav conflicts, is madly in love with his piano teacher as he prepares for an audition. He admits best friend Jiou, from a Chinese family, of his feelings. Following news that his teacher is leaving for Vienna, he falls apart and his sexuality is exposed to his family.
What was good about this film was the story of two different 'alien' families. I loved the Montenegro family and their reminiscing about their native country. In particular, I love the fact the parents want to give their children their full chance to reach their potential having lost their opportunity. Although growing up being gay can be one of the worst periods of a gay boy's life but the gay angst ridden moments have been done a million times in the same way. I would have been more interested if the story had taken place in Montenegro and showed homophobia in that society.
Montenegro are improving their legislative record on LGBT rights in order to help with EU membership but homophobia is still entrenched within their culture. Even so, I think the family would had been 'Germanised' enough to be a little more accepting than they were.
A nice try but could do better.
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