Beginning To End-Preview

Aluisio Abranches’s
From Beginning to End (Do Comeco Ao Fim)
2010 Newfest Film Festival
SVA Theatre

Written by Aluizio Abranches

Starring: Julia Lemmertz; Fabio Assuncao; Jean Pierre Noher; Louise Cardoso; Gabriel Kaufmann; Lucas Cotrim; Rafael Cardoso; and Joao Gabriel Vasconcellos

In Portuguese with English subtitles

Reviewed by Frank J. Avella

In this country no one would ever have the chutzpah to make a film like From Beginning to End. And I am pretty certain most reviews here in the U.S., will be dismissive or convey disgust.

But if we could get beyond our pretend Puritanism we might realize that writer/director Aluizio Abranches has made a beautiful film about deep and true love. And, yes, the lovers are brothers (half-brothers to be precise).

Probably one of the most controversial films at NEWFEST, it also happens to be my favorite (along with David’s Birthday) so far, not just for it’s daring but because Abranches has the courage of his own character convictions and refuses to turn his tale of incest into something dark and terrible.

Twelve-year old Francisco (Lucas Cotrim) and his six-year old brother Thomas (Gabriel Kaufmann) are closer than most siblings. Their mother (the lovely Julia Lemmertz) seems to know something is up, but has no intention of trying to fix it. The early scenes of the boys together might be off-putting to some because Abranches sees their bond as playful and natural.

Fifteen years later, Francisco (now Joao Gabriel Vasconcellos) and Thomas (now Rafael Cardoso) are as close as ever and the viewer is given full view of their sexual relationship. The two men happen to be incredibly attractive, but also good actors who make us believe in their love for one another.

Yes, the pic gives its target audience (gay men) plenty of buff naked bodies to ogle but there is more going on than soft-core porn.

The film isn’t perfect with an unbelievable yet forgivable plot contrivance meant to break the brothers apart as well as the fact that no one ever really questions them face-to-face about their relationship. But perhaps the latter was deliberate. Perhaps Abranches didn’t want to waver.

From Beginning to End is a startling, provocative, deeply engrossing film that doesn’t advocate incest as much as it insists on showing us an atypical love story.

Tickets now on sale to the general public online and at the Mobile Box Office at the LGBT Center, 208 W.13th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves. Open 4-8pm Monday – Thurs, 3pm – 9pm Fri – Sun.

NEWFEST is running at the SVA Theatre at 333 West 23rd through June 13, 2010. For Information: http://newfest.org/wordpress/.

SVA Theatre | 333 West 23rd.Street