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Paolo

DVD-R

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$19.99 (33% off)
List Price: ~~$29.99~~

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Synopsis

Paolo, a young gay Latin American immigrant who lives in New York, travels back to his native country, Peru. After eight years of absence, he now feels ready to face a society which might now accept him, and search for the father who left his family when he was only a child.

Paolo Reategui lives a successful, exciting life as an openly gay man in New York, but his contentment is tainted by old memories of rejection and loss, and won’t be complete until he reconciles with his origins. This is the story of his first journey back home after eight years away from Peru. A week before the trip, Paolo decides he is also going to look for his father, who vanished from his life when he was only a child, in an effort to get all the pieces of his life together for once and for all.

Social exploration meets personal drama in this new film by Andrea Franco Batievsky, portraying the way both society and individuals slowly evolve into their real, unbiased selves. Poignant and cathartic, this visit to Paolo's past reflects the inward journey of self-acceptance and determination, and the importance of family and roots.

3 Reasons To buy this film

Paolo played to acclaim in several dozen international film festivals!
Not only is this story compelling on a human level, but the breathtaking scenery of Peru and Machu Picchu add another special treat to the film.
"The account of Paolo’s journey, is rich with humor and bold honesty. It was a delight to watch." – Monica Hill, Atlanta Unique Arts Examiner

Review

A coming-of-age documentary that celebrates the bonds of family, Paolo is a truly uplifting cinematic experience.

24-year-old Paolo emigrated from Peru to the United States at the age of 16. Over the course of those 8 years, the social climate of Peru saw dramatic changes. Homosexuality became much more accepted. Now a thriving, openly gay adult living in New York City, Paolo feels ready to return to his roots and see how his home country will treat him. Filmmaker Andrea Franco Batievsky follows Paolo on his journey, taking a close, intimate look at his loving, supportive family and friends and their joyous reaction to having Paolo home for a visit.

Meanwhile, with the help of his sister Marines, Paolo tracks down information regarding the whereabouts of his long-absent father - who he has not seen since he was 10-years-old - and decides whether or not to seek him out and attempt to form a relationship.

Paolo's debate over whether or not he should contact his father provides the film's central conflict, but it takes a back seat to the fly-on-the-wall account of unconditional familial love and support. While so many gay films about family life focus on one character's attempts to break free from oppression, Paolo celebrates a large Latin family that supports their beloved gay progeny and cherishes him for being honest about who he is. Their affection changes Paolo for the better and provides the heart and true magic of this charming, must-see doc.

-- Robert O'Neill

Product Format Information

DVD-R : $19.99

Availability: In stock and ready to ship
Region Code: 1
UPC: 807839006124

Studio : Andrea Franco Films

Languages: English (Primary) , English Subtitles
Features:
While the primary language is English, when the language shifts to Spanish there are English subtitles

Customer Reviews

A Gorgeous Film About Going Home

Amos Lassen wrote on 01/14/2012:

Paolo Reategui moved from Peru to New York and has been there for eight years. He feels ready to go back to Peru and face Peruvian society that does not freely accept gay men and he wants to look for his father who had deserted his family when he was only seven. New York was quite a change for him as he could live as an openly gay male but he feels that something is missing in his life and in order for him to feel complete, he knows he must go home and face the rejection and loss that he encountered there. He wants to find his dad and make peace with himself knowing that he tried.

This is a beautiful personal documentary that takes us to the heart of Peru and we see how society and individuals slowly come into their own. Aside from being a physical journey, Paolo experiences an emotional one of self-determination and self-acceptance while also exploring the importance of family and country. Director Andrea Franco Batievsky gives us an unforgettable film.

I was totally pulled into this film by the way it examines social consciousness. When Paolo cannot find his father, he questions himself and is amidst depression and confusion. He did find an older brother who knew nothing of Paolo—even that he existed. He finds friends and other members of his family and his sexuality does not hinder his acceptance by them. However society is not so kind. Paolo was searching for who he is and what is his place in the world. His journey allows us, almost forces us, to look into ourselves and examine who we are.