The latest example of what disturbingly seems to be growing into a mini-genre, "Burlesk King" is further evidence of director Mel Chionglo's desire to explore the subtleties of the world of Filipino macho dancers. Those who improbably didn't get their fill of the subject from Lino Brocka's "Macho Dancer" or Chionglo's "Midnight Dancers" will hopefully be satiated here, so the rest of us can get on with our lives. The film, showcased at the Toronto and Chicago fests, opens Friday for an exclusive run at New York's Quad Cinema.
Actually, "Burlesk King" has more on its mind than depicting the Sally Rand-style fan dances performed by a bevy of well-oiled, muscular young men. It purports to be an examination of mixed-race children. The central character is Harry (Rodel Velayo), who leaves his home, a former American military base site, to go to Manila. It seems his American father, whose abusive behavior is depicted in a series of dreamy flashbacks, accidentally killed Harry's mother, and Harry intends to seek revenge.
But that plan must wait as Harry and best friend James (Leonardo Litton) land jobs dancing in a gay bar run by the flamboyantly effeminate Mama Odette (Joel Lamangan). Harry soon encounters several colorful characters, including a gay romance writer with relationship problems and Brenda (Nini Jacinto), a teenage hooker who has taken it upon herself to befriend the area's numerous street kids. Harry and Brenda soon strike up a torrid relationship, though his decision to become her pimp soon puts that in jeopardy. Eventually, Harry finds his father, but the results are not at all what he expected.
The melodramatic plot is interrupted as frequently as possible for scenes of the dancers strutting their stuff and a series of soft-core sex scenes featuring various combinations. The film's climax is a dance competition in which the boys vie for the distinction of "burlesk king." Guess who wins.
Even taking its target audience into account, it seems inexplicable that hokum like this manages to score American distribution when so many films more worthy of attention go begging. But such are the vagaries of the current indie and foreign film circuit.
BURLESK KING
Strand Releasing
Director: Mel Chionglo
Screenwriter: Ricardo Lee
Producer: Robbie Tan
Director of photography: George Tutanes
Production designer: Edgar Martin Littaua
Music: Nonong Buencamino
Color/mono
Cast:
Harry: Rodel Velayo
Brenda: Nini Jacinto
James: Leonardo Litton
Mario: Raymond Bagatsing
Betty: Elizabeth Oropesa
Mama Odette: Joel Lamangan
Running time - 109 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Actually, "Burlesk King" has more on its mind than depicting the Sally Rand-style fan dances performed by a bevy of well-oiled, muscular young men. It purports to be an examination of mixed-race children. The central character is Harry (Rodel Velayo), who leaves his home, a former American military base site, to go to Manila. It seems his American father, whose abusive behavior is depicted in a series of dreamy flashbacks, accidentally killed Harry's mother, and Harry intends to seek revenge.
But that plan must wait as Harry and best friend James (Leonardo Litton) land jobs dancing in a gay bar run by the flamboyantly effeminate Mama Odette (Joel Lamangan). Harry soon encounters several colorful characters, including a gay romance writer with relationship problems and Brenda (Nini Jacinto), a teenage hooker who has taken it upon herself to befriend the area's numerous street kids. Harry and Brenda soon strike up a torrid relationship, though his decision to become her pimp soon puts that in jeopardy. Eventually, Harry finds his father, but the results are not at all what he expected.
The melodramatic plot is interrupted as frequently as possible for scenes of the dancers strutting their stuff and a series of soft-core sex scenes featuring various combinations. The film's climax is a dance competition in which the boys vie for the distinction of "burlesk king." Guess who wins.
Even taking its target audience into account, it seems inexplicable that hokum like this manages to score American distribution when so many films more worthy of attention go begging. But such are the vagaries of the current indie and foreign film circuit.
BURLESK KING
Strand Releasing
Director: Mel Chionglo
Screenwriter: Ricardo Lee
Producer: Robbie Tan
Director of photography: George Tutanes
Production designer: Edgar Martin Littaua
Music: Nonong Buencamino
Color/mono
Cast:
Harry: Rodel Velayo
Brenda: Nini Jacinto
James: Leonardo Litton
Mario: Raymond Bagatsing
Betty: Elizabeth Oropesa
Mama Odette: Joel Lamangan
Running time - 109 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 6/29/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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