Heimliche Küsse

Film is in French with optional German subtitlesMost gay men will be able to relate to the bullying shown in this film (original title: Baisers Caches), but it does cover new ground in any film, I think, in the way it shows how far it can create confusion in the mind of a 16-year-old, the catastrophic way it can be compounded by parental homophobia, how someone may turn into a perpetrator to save their own self-image, and how schools can collude with what is going on. One of the most moving scenes in the film is where a teacher confronts a class with homophobia she had experienced herself - a woman who finally dares to come out at fifty, but who had, up to that point, been completely afraid to say anything, even in support of a victim of homophobic bullying. The film is also remarkable for the way it constantly surprises you - there are a large number of reversals, effectively managed. The main character is Nathan, who can face himself, although his single parent father has problems with gayness ... but it's nothing next to Louis, whose father is full of hatred and subjects his son to a brutal boxing regime. It's best not to know too much about the plot ... just to say that you are rooting for Nathan all along, the film is attractively shot if not outstanding visually - but it isn't too pedestrian either, partly thanks to the photogenic qualities of the boys. It represents a considerable advance on something like A Cause d'un garçon or Get Real - both set in schools also. The acting by the boys - Beranger Anceaux and Jules Houplain - is convincing, while Patrick Timsit is excellent as the policeman father. You can only hope that the attitudes of some of the pupils in this school are uncommon now, but where they do occur, the law needs to enable them to be effectively countered. This plea could hardly be more urgently put.

Frustratingly for those whose command of French is a little shaky and who don't know German, this film is currently available from Amazon U.K. only in the original (French) version with German subtitles! That's a great pity, because it deserves to be seen and appreciated by a wide audience of gay- and gay-friendly viewers, particularly those whose experiences of home and/or school life have not been free of homophobic prejudice. The film is, by the way, available in the U.S. with English subtitles, and would-be viewers can get an idea of what they are missing by checking it out under its English title, "Hidden Kisses", on Amazon.com, where there were at least 149 reviews, almost overwhelmingly positive, when I last looked. My only reservation about this phenomenally good telefilm is that it stops short of a final resolution of issues for one of the two young protagonists (both of whom are portrayed by remarkably good actors, as are most of the adult roles).

This is very high quality story. Very good feel to it. I was tearing up in parts all through it! And the whole cast was fantastic. The 2 stars of course, but especially the father too, as well as others. I'm USA. I saw it on youtube very low quality and had to own it. And for me, who only knows English, the subtitles were intriguing and added even more to the movie. After researching how, I added the subs. They're a literal translation from the French. And just following how things are expressed in literal form made the movie even better to watch! It was icing on the cake, really! I've never run across better subtitles than this. It retained that French feel, and this movie is pure French! You can't go wrong with it. There's nothing shallow or hollow about it, and it's not depressing or heavy or anything like. Just a good story.

This is a five star movie but only 3 for this edition which does not have English subtitles. You will have to buy the USA region one edition actually titled Hidden Kisses for the English subtitles, which are actually translated from Spanish and while not accurate, do not detract from the movie.Hope this is helpful to potential purchasers.

Super

It's not a perfect film...but, it is a damn good stab at the contemporary issues faced by young gay men in a society that is credited - by many - as a society increasingly more-tolerant than-ever-before of homosexuality...that may be the case...still, obviously, much work to do!There are weaknesses within the story...Louis' father - as a medical doctor wielding the sledge-hammer approach to subtlety - is totally unbelievable...perhaps, a change of profession would have help...to a vile alpha-male banker! The women...a little too subservient, too is-it-me-am-I-too-ugly...The education issue could have been explored more...when 'tolerance' is not even an issue...we should not be tolerated, we should not be accepted...we should just be! No question...and, that starts with education!But...tears will well-up, memories will come alive and pain will be felt...not bad for a television movie!

homophobia & narrow minded community disturbing portrayal of life of a gay teen the hatred of those around him & the lack of support available to educate those in fear of someone different sexually