Lorenzo Vigas' From Afar is an observant, opaque relationship study between Armando, a middle-aged owner of a Caracas dental prosthesis business, and Elder, a young street kid, who Armando begins to show an interest in. Using a minimalist approach that features very little dialogue, Lorenzo Vigas' From Afar relies heavily on its visual aesthetic to slowly unravel the complexities of its characters, revealing a nuanced and challenging study of sexual repression and discovery that remains intentionally enigmatic about the background of its characters. With Armando taking a liking to the young Elder, paying him a large fee to be an object for the older man to masturbate too, From Afar observes these two characters somewhat toxic relationship, one formed out of quiet desperation and alienation, with each character providing something the other desperately lacks. While Armando provides Elder with financial assistance, Elder provides Armando a form of connection he severely lacks, with From Afar vaguely hinting towards a fractured relationship between Armando and his father, which one can only imagine stems from Armando's homosexuality. From Afar is sure to frustrate due to its aggressive opaqueness, but what Lorenzo Vigas has created is a tightly coiled mood piece of quite oppression, with these two characters' forced to hid their homosexuality in an environment where it is less than accepted. From Afar captures the toxic effect in which masculinity can have on sexual liberation, with Elder in particular maintaining a rough exterior toughness throughout, rejecting his feelings at first, hiding behind the tough, society defined masculine exterior. The conflicted feelings of Elder are a major aspect, as is Armando's exact intentions, with Lorenzo Vigas' From Afar heading to a highly combustible conclusion that is never fully defined or explained. Recommended only for those willing to navigate a more opaque character study that provides more questions than answers, Lorenzo Vigas From Afar is a quietly transfixing study of two desperate men, slowly and methodically revealing the toxic relationship that develops due to sexual repression, self-discovery, and angst.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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