El Maestro (Spanish) [The Teacher]

This was such a nice, simple and a very subtle film. To be honest, it was a breath of fresh air which had absolutely zero drama and everything was done and shown with tiniest bit of hints. Nothing is in your face. Based in a small rural town, you can feel the pulse of the town and this is what made the film watching a very novel and new experience. And given it is barely a 70 minute film, it was just the right length for a film of this nature.

Natalio is a school teacher and is loved by his colleagues and his students. The kids look up to him not only for his classes but for the extra-curricular activities he puts on. He is working on creating a school play. When an old friend Juani comes to visit, rumors start making the rounds in the town, which gets fuel to fire when Nataio and Juani sort of move in together in a house. They are shown strictly as friends with some string connection till one day they end up making out and possibly sex. Natalio also teaches private classes to a kid Miguel who sometimes gets bullied in the school and is the son of a lady who works in Natalio's house. A couple of guys who are jealous of him (including Miguel's mothers boyfriend, who possibly abuses Miguel), come together and complain to school on how a gay teacher is not good to be around the school, forcing him out of his job and move to another town. Right before the happens, Jean informs him that he is moving in with a girl. 

Story is pretty simple yet straight forward. The way the town folks give Natalio little glances when he is with Juani is done really well. I guess his sexuality was probably always questionable being a single man living with his mother, but moving in with a guy kind of seals the deal. We never know the background of Juani or their relationship besides the kiss one night, but we are eventually told that Natalio is indeed gay when he meets a random guy in town one night and of course his passion for drama. But it is also interesting to see how things are in small rural towns. I grew up in one and hence can totally related to everyone being in everyone else's business and how rumors start within a small community. I did like the whole play angle where Natalio is teaching students and how Miguel comes into the picture. I mean, overall , Natalio is the nicest person who is very dedicated to his teaching job and has never let his sexuality question ever come in his way of teaching or taking care of his mother. But circumstances and people take him on a path that he doesn't deserve. He doesn't get a happy ending when he is forcible transferred and has to move out of town. The hope is that Natalio will be able to be true to himself and live the life that he deserves in love and with someone. (6.5/10)