Masterful Cinema

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

SPOILERS -- Turns out there IS a hanging bridge in Calauag, Philipinnes.... called the Yaganak Hanging Bridge. One assumes that this is where the story takes place, but who knows. The young guys earn money by shuttling visitors along the river, and to the hanging suspension bridge. The real money is in providing "extra services" to the male passengers along the dark corners of the riverbanks, under the management of "Taliyah", the drag queen. Lots of fluid sexuality. anything for the money. Alfred (Ryan Dungo) is proud to have avoided giving those extra services, since he has a girlfriend, and wants it to be special when he is ready. The girlfriend Cecilia ( Martina Wilson) is clearly getting frustrated, and is under the watchful eye of her father. Alfred has emotional things going on in his head... he looks after his father, and with the little bits of flashbacks, we are shown that there was sex and violence in the past for Alfred and Cecilia's parents. Eventually both Alfred and Cecilia are dabbling in sexual encounters. Good things happen, bad things happen, and there is a HUGE, violent blow-up. Alfred and Cecilia search each other out, and realize that being with someone who makes you happy and cares for you is more important than waiting for the perfect time and place. A warm and fuzzy ending. cute story. PS. SAGWAN.. the title means "Paddling" in Tagalog. Directed by Monti Parungao, who has done numerous projects about the Philipinnes. Worth watching. Good entertainment!