Velociraptor

By: Amos Lassen

With the apocalypse bearing down on them, two friends, Alex and Diego, one gay and one who has not yet made up his mind walk through the streets deep in conversation. They share their fears and desires about sex and intimacy. We see the true nature of their relationship when they get to Alex's bedroom. The friendship is so strong that they are able to get through the limits of trust and loyalty and they are able to push one another into exciting new realms of sexual exploration. This film is smart and heartfelt. It mixes drama, science fiction and romance and reminds us of what it means to be young man, exploring male friendship and desire in a very fresh way.

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Alex (Pablo Mezz) is a sexually active young gay guy who would like to have sex with his straight best friend, Diego (Carlos Henrick Huber) just once before the world ends. And since it seems that the end of the world quickly nearing Alex is anxious for it to happen. Diego is devoted to his girlfriend but spends most of the film teasing Álex by showing him a peek of his butt and even kissing him.

What happens next you will only discover if you see the film. Director Chucho Quintero explores two very different themes in "Velociraptor"- finding love and the end of the world and he interweaves them in a seamless way.


As Álex and Diego walk around streets, they discuss their love and sex lives, as well as that the end of the world that is coming upon them very rapidly. They hear ominous announcements about "honoring ancestors," "endless days" and how people behave in the "end times." However, Álex's main concern is his passion for Diego, and possibly, vice-versa. (The fact that Diego chooses to spend what could be his last few hours with Álex says a great deal).

The film narrative is haunting and takes odd, flashback turns that are sometimes have no dialogue, but each new moment adds nuance to these two young men trying to discover who they are before its too late. Both actors making their feature film debut and turn in fine performances as they balance sexual tension with a paradoxical attitude towards their seemingly ill-fated future.

The film attempts to explore the fluidity of sexual desire but the ending is predictable but perhaps this is what the director really wanted to say. The apocalypse may be near but some people still refuse to explore life outside their limited world.