Pages

Jul 29, 2021

"A Remarkable Tale": Remarkable Gay Inclusivity

A Remarkable Tale is a terrible title; the movie could be about anything. The original Spanish title, Lo Nunca Visto ("I have never seen it"), is no better. But it begins with a striking image: four people (including buffed model Ricardo Nkosi)  in traditional West African costumes running through the snow.

Nobody in West Africa dresses like that, except for ceremonies and tourist shows.  And it doesn't snow.  How did they get to the north?  A time warp from the 19th century?

You have no choice but to watch.

Cut to Upper Fuentejuela, a small, isolated mountain village in Spain, which has lost almost all of its residents to the lure of the big city, so town bigwig Teresa (Carmen Machi) and Jaime (Pepon Nieto), who I think is her ex-husband, are  trying to attract newcomers with "Open Day":  egg custard tarts, necklaces, and a song.  But nobody shows up.



Meanwhile Evil Corporate Shill is threatening annexation.

Teresa and Jaime drop in to yell at long-haired layabout Guiri (model Jon Kortajarena, below) for not showing up to Open Day.   Their son Carlos (Miguel Canaveras, right) decides to stay and hang out with Guiri.

A gay relationship?

When the West Africans show up, Teresa and Jaime assume that they are dangerous cannibals.  The Africans, in turn, believe that all white people are dangerous cannibals.

After the misunderstandings are cleared up, we learn the truth: the Africans are victims of human trafficking,  lured to Spain for a "dance competition" and forced to work in a brothel.

So three men and a woman are working in a brothel with male customers?  Interesting gay inclusivity.

They escaped, but are stuck in a country full of "dangerous cannibals."  And the police are looking for them.

They hide out with Teresa and Jaime, and gradually become involved in the life of the village.  And fall in love.

Teresa begins dating Azquil (Malcolm Sitté).





Guiri (left) begins dating Latisha (Montse Pia).












Calulu (Jimmy Castro), who turns out to be into drag, begins dating Jaime.

 Shukra (Ricardo Nkosi, top photo) doesn't date anyone, but he bonds with Jaime's mother.

They also save the day, of course.  And everybody hugs and proposes marriage while the Evil Corporate Shill fumes.

It's rather cliched: how many times have you seen outsiders burst into a small town and save the day with their joie de vivre?

But the West African-Spanish clash adds interest, and the gay plotline is unique.

Gay characters:  Everybody in town is sort of queer.

Beefcake: None, except the opening costumes. Pity; why cast buffed models if you're not going to show their physiques?

My grade: B+

6 comments:

  1. "And it doesn't snow." Space is warped and time is bendable.

    Looks good. I like that they understand what trafficking is, too; a lot of gay movies have a rosy view of prostitution, while mainstream movies fridge prostitutes without a thought.

    (It's complicated reasons for the gay movies. Basically there's a divide over if you can shell out $150 for a weekend.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought is was charming even if its a bit obvious

    ReplyDelete
  3. It sort of reminds me of "To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How so? That was pure comedy, not anything darker going on. (Unless Miss Rachel Tension's Confederate bikini counts.)

      Delete
    2. A small town in the middle of nowhere is visited by colorful outsiders which changes the residents view of life plot- the difference is that the drag queen in "To Wong Foo" don't have sex with anyone (well at least no on screen) The closest we get is John Leguizamo who almost gets in on with the country boy- but "To Wong Foo" is a Hollywood feel good pg comedy- in European films have more sex and male nudity

      Delete
  4. Jon Kortajarena was dating Luke Evans

    ReplyDelete

No offensive, insulting, racist, or homophobic comments are permitted.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.