Eastern Boys

The film is a well produced film, it has the light rumor and seriousness of a well made film well combined in the story. Thinking of how the Eastern block is now free and can be like their other European counterparts, it is amazing that they went through the acceptance of gays as easily as they did. I would recommend the film to anyone interested in seeing something of quality and a real story unfold, a sotry close to reality and yet not your everyday love story.

This film, as it gradually unfolds. beautifully reveals how the need for basic sexual satisfaction can evolve into an unexpected love that transcends an intended transient sexual encounter. Set in Paris, we first see a group of Eastern European boys freely roaming the streets apparently bent on some sort of mischief. Their activity is carefully monitored and viewed by a middle aged man named Daniel. Finally, he is given the opportunity to approach one of the youngsters who is momentarily alone and apart from the others. Daniel propositions the youth who tells him that his name is Marek. After considerable effort, Marek gets Daniel to reluctantly give him his home address which is located in an expansive high rise apartment building. They agree to rendezvous there later. When the appointed hour arrives, Daniel opens his door to whom he thinks is Marek. Instead, he is confronted by an aggressive young man of 14 who gained entry by saying that he was Marek. What follows is an onslaught of the entire horde of Eastern boys which, as the DVD cover states, "is certain to contain the most unforgettable home invasion scene ever committed to celluloid". Daniel's home is stripped bare. But that is really only the beginning of our story. Soon after the pillaging of his domicile, the real Marek shows up once again at Daniel's door. He is truly upset over what happened to Daniel and still offers himself sexually for a price. Daniel accepts the offer. What follows is an unexpected and evolving love story that must be kept secret lest it be destroyed by the other European boys should they find out, especially by their leader simply known as "Boss". How all of this plays out should keep the viewer on the edge of his seat as the action rapidly accelerates leading to a tension filled but most satisfying and unexpected climax. Kudos to the actors who respectively played the roles of Daniel, Marek, Boss, Phony Marek, and a female supervisor in a hotel.

Weird story line, but it is a feel good love story. I didn't like how the young toughs wrecked that older guy's apartment, but after that lousy beginning, the story moves in a more hopeful direction. The Russian kid is really cute and fairly convincing in his role. It gets a bit graphic in places, though not too overdone. In brief the story moves from sex trade to a strange sort of love connection, and it does not have a tragic end, like so many 'gay' films have in the past. The personality of the Older guy is pretty strange, but he finally seems to come alive towards the end of the story.

This is an excellent, compact film, which addresses the relationship that develops between young recent east European and Russian immigrants and a middle aged frenchman in modern urban Paris. Unlike most "gay" films, this screenplay avoids stereotypes and is carried forward by a plot that mixes tension, humiliation, intimacy, abusive robbery, and the dynamics of the pyramidical structure of immigrant groups who live on the edge of a society that forces them to live off their wits on the edge of urban life. The film is very subtle, which separates it from a typical "gay film society" offering, and also strongly endorses the moral authority of older men in guiding youthful gay men towards satisfying and emotionally authentic relationships, not simply relationships constructed around sexual contact for money, product or attention. There is a not a moment that doesn't work in this suspenseful and surprisingly sophisticated film. The most misleading element of the film is the picture on the DVD cover which is blase and common and does not convey anything about the film's content. This film is an excellent view overall and a contribution to the understanding of what humanization of the 'con' can do to transform an immigrant from an amoral and careless person, unconcerned with their long term fate, to someone more cautious, authentic and heartfelt. Strong positive recommendation; one of the best new films depicting the effects of the influx of young Eastern Europeans (not just men, by the way) on French society, particularly on the individual who lives alone, which accounts for some 40% of urban French men and women in this era.

Arriving from all over Eastern Europe, the men who loiter around the Gare du Nord train station in Paris are scraping by however they can, forming gangs for support and protection, afraid of being deported.When Daniel approaches a boyish Ukrainian named Marek for a tryst, he sees Marek is up for anything for money. Daniel intends only sex-for-hire but leads to a home invasion by his gang- and then he shows the next day for the tryst and the day after and the day after. an unexpectedly profound relationship. Don't think you know what happens,because you don't. I loved this movie from start to finish. EVery actor was excellent. The young man who played Marek was superb. Great acting, story and dialog and the direction is amazing.

Eastern Boys rounds up Ukrainian immigrants and places them in a sensual home invasion thriller. The Gare du Nord, Paris. A group of Eastern European “toughs” work the streets, searching for wealthy businessmen to invite them back to their lavished apartments. Daniel, a white-collar worker, notices a young “minor” he finds attractive, Marek. Eerily following his footsteps until he encounters him. Cornered. They exchange address details, arranging a time for a meet. The next evening, Daniel prepares himself and the apartment for Marek’s arrival. Polo shirt. Denim jeans. White sneakers with laces tied tightly. The phone rings. “It’s Marek”. “Come on up”. A gentle knock on the front door echoes around the polished abode. Daniel nervously unlocks the entrance, but what waits on the other side will change his life forever.Campillo’s dramatic thriller has an unpredictable direction that maintains an unforgiving ambience throughout. Amalgamating two opposing classes of society into an eventful invasive situation that tests the boundaries of both parties involved. Daniel taunted for his repressed homosexuality by the entity that invites themselves into the apartment. Helpless to the scenario that crudely unfolds. The next morning arrives. Daniel, silenced by the aftermath, encounters Marek again. Clouded with guilt or exploiting Daniel further? Marek confidently applies himself to the prostitution that was promised originally. Daniel hesitates but proceeds.What follows for the remaining runtime is a “Good Samaritan” narrative, with Daniel granting Marek a chance at embellishing the adult world without restrained by the impoverished limitations of immigrants living in hotels under the jurisdiction of social-services. Campillo insightfully provides a harrowing portrait on France’s uncontrollable level in immigration whilst intricately crafting a tender relationship in the process that challenges the maturity levels of both individuals. The thematic veneers that Campillo layers upon the furnished walls of Daniel’s apartment, astonishes upon every nail-biting turn provided in his screenplay. Every sparse line of dialogue. Every nullified murmur of displeasure. From teaching Marek the French vocabulary of body parts to Marek himself detailing his war-torn past to a befuddled Daniel. The script provokes a monumental amount of care from each character. Not love, but supervision.What initially commences as a protruding thriller unravels to become a mature drama perceiving change. How one well-intentioned soul can provide an opportunity for a less fortunate individual to better themselves and integrate their intuition into a society that discards them. Replenishing a system that accepts immigrants by granting them a life they can lead. Not trapped by the confinements of four walls that surrounds these helpless souls. Campillo also illustrates loveless intimacy, with Marek offering himself to Daniel for a few euros, amplifying the modern issues of gay culture in general. The explicit scenes of sexual nature were difficult to watch given the circumstances these characters find themselves in, highlighting an insufficiency and inadequacy between the two of them.It’s an incredible piece of cinema that relies on character intervention and sublime direction. Fortunately Rabourdin and Emelyanov produce two of the finest performances queer cinema has to offer. The dimensionality they provide in every situation, from awkward conversations to the conclusive rescue mission, is outstanding. Manifesting pure yet flawed souls into their performances. Rebotini’s score occasionally overwhelmed the dramatic endeavours on screen, but supplied a hefty bass during the initial home invasion sequence. Notable praise must be awarded to Lapoirie’s gorgeous cinematography. She utilised the confined environment around her to accentuate the thrills of both the first and third act. Even a simple shot of the neighbouring apartment blocks, day or night, contributed to the class segregation theme that Campillo deftly analysed.The only noticeable criticism was with the chapter titles acting as transitions between human drama and unpredictable thrills. Their abrupt tonal alterations unfortunately felt out of place and less seamless than removing them entirely. It may liken the feature to a journal, yet hinders the pacing occasionally.Oscillating between genres is no easy achievement, however Campillo’s versatility proves that it can be done without regressing the feature. Eastern Boys is a testament to thematic cinema. Embedding a surplus of apt themes into a tender character-driven bond that rarely treads through cliches. Powerful, palpable and quite simply near-perfect. Eastern Boys proves that, when given the chance, we can take control of our lives for the better.

A thought provoking story.To be honest, at first it made me feel uncomfortable. Without spoiling the plot too much, a middle age man picks up a rent boy in Paris. Yes, we have been here before, but this is different.The boy is part of a gang and what continues is a roller coaster ride of emotions for both the 'customer' and the recipient.If you can try and see through the uncomfortable scenes early on, and watch the film to the end, you wont be disappointed.Something rare in this genre of films - a happy ending, well almost.Watch it and find out !!!!

I didn't believe in the potential of this movie.... the story in in the beginning is focused on a mere sexual relationship between a man and a young prostitute eastern (Ukrainiana) boy. The feeling and the mood change during the Whole story 'till the strange and shocking finale. I LOVED THIS "EASTERN BOYS"

Bold. Daring and brilliant.This film had me on tender hooks by the end. A rollercoaster ride of emotions happen when you watch this film. Anger,sadness,laughter but it stays with you

Packaged well, arrived on time. A gripping tense movie, where you just can't imagine how frightening a situation can get, absolutely loved this film!