In the Argentinian film Taekwondo, directors Marco Berger & Martín Farina lay out a rich & complex tapestry of male interaction. The characters are perhaps more idealized than many are accustomed to seeing - this is a world where clothing is optional, friends don't discriminate regarding sexuality, and superficial conflicts are quickly and easily resolved. This fictional subtext provides a poignant counterpoint to reality while simultaneously highlighting all that is great in human interaction.
Germán (Gabriel Epstein) & Fernando (Lucas Papa) are sensitively drawn characters who are associated with one another in the practice of Taekwondo classes they attend. One long holiday weekend, Fernando invites Germán to spend time in his villa with his childhood friends, most of which are heterosexual, none of whom discriminate against those who are homosexual. We are made to understand through exposition during the course of the weekend that Germán is sexually attracted to Fernando, and Fernando is likewise attracted to Germán - but the two men are not privy to this information, and so begins the long courtship dance undertaken by human beings everywhere, with the bucolic setting of a country estate, various fit male friends and buckets of testosterone.
While Taekwondo is a very, very unusual movie with its frequent display of male full-frontal nudity, its naturalistic and realistic approach to the human form and interpersonal relationships between straight and gay men sets it high above its peers. At first blush, there doesn't appear to be a story here, but watch closely: The interactions between life-long friends works as a backdrop, adding color and character, while the plot and the relationship between Germán and Fernando moves inexorably, fearlessly forward.
The undeniable thesis of this film is love and the lack of shame. Love of the human body, love of friends, love of diversity, love of sex and the true love that develops slowly between two people more concerned with becoming one conjoined, codependent person - a living relationship entity - rather than quickly falling upon one another in a drunken night of debauchery.
Nudity - especially male nudity - is frowned upon in many Western societies, which ridiculously leads to self-shame, an unhealthy level of preoccupation and curiosity, and quick gropes in dark corners. The premise of Taekwondo presents naked bodies unashamed, unafraid, unapologetic and unassailable by the dictates of modern society. In this world, far from our reality, we encounter a trembling , breathing, fragile song and celebration of all things human. At the core of this world, love flourishes unabashedly. It is a world we should all be so lucky to inhabit - if only for a short while.
Germán (Gabriel Epstein) & Fernando (Lucas Papa) are sensitively drawn characters who are associated with one another in the practice of Taekwondo classes they attend. One long holiday weekend, Fernando invites Germán to spend time in his villa with his childhood friends, most of which are heterosexual, none of whom discriminate against those who are homosexual. We are made to understand through exposition during the course of the weekend that Germán is sexually attracted to Fernando, and Fernando is likewise attracted to Germán - but the two men are not privy to this information, and so begins the long courtship dance undertaken by human beings everywhere, with the bucolic setting of a country estate, various fit male friends and buckets of testosterone.
While Taekwondo is a very, very unusual movie with its frequent display of male full-frontal nudity, its naturalistic and realistic approach to the human form and interpersonal relationships between straight and gay men sets it high above its peers. At first blush, there doesn't appear to be a story here, but watch closely: The interactions between life-long friends works as a backdrop, adding color and character, while the plot and the relationship between Germán and Fernando moves inexorably, fearlessly forward.
The undeniable thesis of this film is love and the lack of shame. Love of the human body, love of friends, love of diversity, love of sex and the true love that develops slowly between two people more concerned with becoming one conjoined, codependent person - a living relationship entity - rather than quickly falling upon one another in a drunken night of debauchery.
Nudity - especially male nudity - is frowned upon in many Western societies, which ridiculously leads to self-shame, an unhealthy level of preoccupation and curiosity, and quick gropes in dark corners. The premise of Taekwondo presents naked bodies unashamed, unafraid, unapologetic and unassailable by the dictates of modern society. In this world, far from our reality, we encounter a trembling , breathing, fragile song and celebration of all things human. At the core of this world, love flourishes unabashedly. It is a world we should all be so lucky to inhabit - if only for a short while.
- Chipper F. Xavier, Esq.