There needs to be some academic research done on the desire of filmmakers to make depressing movies about gay kids. Make no mistake - the two characters who are at the center of the story have almost no problem with their sexuality and love for each other. It's the society that stands in their way, with predictable consequences. As a viewer, aren't I familiar with these consequences already? Must we be constantly be reminded how bad things are out there, how slowly things change? Another item to make clear - there are happy gays in this world. Everyone, everywhere would benefit from seeing those stories, not in an attempt to whitewash the difficulties, but as an act of restorative justice. These beautiful guys deserve better in this film than to be squashed under the boot of an uncaring world. As an aside, it could have been a good television series as well.
14 Reviews
A bit of a sad-ending throwback
Havan_IronOak14 April 2023
This film deals with a pair of gay students in Columbia who are attending a private school with an autocratic administration. The main characters students also have absentee or largely unsupportive parents. Given the level of repression, the unchecked bullying and the raging hormones, this is a recipe for disaster and the film has a higher body count than movies of this type.
When I was first coming out and coming to terms with my sexual identify, I found a lot of good in Spanish films. El Diputado, Colegas, El Sacerdote, Law of Desire to name but a few. In later years we've seen Strawberry & Chocolate , Burnt Money, Y tu mamá también, and The Way He Looks,
In many ways they are ALL more advanced than this film. Yes, the setting is Colombia in South America and it seems WAY more repressed than most Hispanic countries.
The boys are cute enough and the story doesn't dwell in the dismal aspects of this culture but it's certainly NOT the hopeful optimistic brand of gay film that I've come to expect these days.
According to the after credits the Colombian government ordered a change to school rules nationwide that recognized differences in sexual orientation So I'm a bit unclear what a film like this released in 2017 was trying to accomplish except perhaps the exorcising of some old demons.
If you have a special interest in Colombia and want to see an autocratic school system with very few real civil liberties, then this may well, be your film. If you're up for something lighter and want something in Spanish may I suggest the latest season of Elite?
When I was first coming out and coming to terms with my sexual identify, I found a lot of good in Spanish films. El Diputado, Colegas, El Sacerdote, Law of Desire to name but a few. In later years we've seen Strawberry & Chocolate , Burnt Money, Y tu mamá también, and The Way He Looks,
In many ways they are ALL more advanced than this film. Yes, the setting is Colombia in South America and it seems WAY more repressed than most Hispanic countries.
The boys are cute enough and the story doesn't dwell in the dismal aspects of this culture but it's certainly NOT the hopeful optimistic brand of gay film that I've come to expect these days.
According to the after credits the Colombian government ordered a change to school rules nationwide that recognized differences in sexual orientation So I'm a bit unclear what a film like this released in 2017 was trying to accomplish except perhaps the exorcising of some old demons.
If you have a special interest in Colombia and want to see an autocratic school system with very few real civil liberties, then this may well, be your film. If you're up for something lighter and want something in Spanish may I suggest the latest season of Elite?
Very bad teacher and friends.
blueboyhub9 January 2021
Very bad teacher father and friends.
if Daniel more brave this will not happen.
This story teach everyone should kill people .
It more useful to collect name and surname teachers and bad friends to annouce
that this will not happen again.
Was Good Until....
steve-butten5 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I could barely believe it. What started out as an interesting little gay movie about growing up and the assertion of basic human rights, turned into a depressing story of rampant homophobia within an educational establishment and culminating in one of the worst clichés in cinema.
This movie sets gay cinema back about 40 years. It was always the case that one or both of the gay subjects of the movie were either killed or committed suicide. It took a long time but eventually film makers got past that and offered, at the very least, a positive spin, if not necessarily a happy ending.
Not here. It was so annoyed at how this turned out.
This movie sets gay cinema back about 40 years. It was always the case that one or both of the gay subjects of the movie were either killed or committed suicide. It took a long time but eventually film makers got past that and offered, at the very least, a positive spin, if not necessarily a happy ending.
Not here. It was so annoyed at how this turned out.
It touches your heart
arjunafederico5 February 2019
It's a movie of those that when it's finished is not a happy ending, it certainly leaves you with a depressing taste. It is visualized as a student is a victim, not only of social prejudices, but also of ignorance, tyranny, an intolerant rector and arrogance of society, towards those who are or think differently. This movie is about knowing that it portrays a case that happened in the past, that may well be happening right now, and that is also likely to happen in the future; know that this is nothing more than a film adaptation of tragedies that occur in real life, that is what most affects me.
It is important to pay attention to the message conveyed by this film, a message that should be extended to every corner of each country, especially to educational centers, so that LGBT+ youth do not have to go through the same hardships (product of hate, phobia and ignorance) that those who preceded them
It is important to pay attention to the message conveyed by this film, a message that should be extended to every corner of each country, especially to educational centers, so that LGBT+ youth do not have to go through the same hardships (product of hate, phobia and ignorance) that those who preceded them
Interesting, But Lacks Focus
kschles-679054 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
While this movie have some nice performances from the young cast, it tried to do too many things; and thus didn't address any issue particularly well. The write-up for the film describes Mateo's struggle to accept that he's gay. This was only one of many plot threads. Actually, Mateo readily accepted his gayness, and his love for Daniel, telling his Mom and Grandmother he had fallen in love with a man. No struggle here.
Those around Mateo and Daniel have varying degrees of acceptance: Mateo's parents, Daniel's abusive father, some of their friends, their school's monster of a principle. Other plot threads include family struggles, student rights, school bullying, rape, and suicide.
Yes, once again a gay person must die. Mateo's sudden decision to kill himself as a political statement really rings hollow. He had no trouble accepting he was gay or telling those around him. Too many gay themed movies feel the need to kill one of their characters.
Those around Mateo and Daniel have varying degrees of acceptance: Mateo's parents, Daniel's abusive father, some of their friends, their school's monster of a principle. Other plot threads include family struggles, student rights, school bullying, rape, and suicide.
Yes, once again a gay person must die. Mateo's sudden decision to kill himself as a political statement really rings hollow. He had no trouble accepting he was gay or telling those around him. Too many gay themed movies feel the need to kill one of their characters.
A movie meant to cause controversy and stay in our minds for years
enrpat-120 July 2017
This movie tells the story of a teenager who struggles to find his own identity in this world, but must confront a society incapable of understanding differences, gender variations or our own choices, whatever they are. Well crafted, this movie tells the story of bullying from the perspective of a teenager, but also proves that the position of parents and teachers are crucial if we desire to prevent this type of behavior. Mariposas Verdes is meant to be a movie that causes controversy and stays in the mind of the viewer, just as much as the book Mariposas Verdes.
Important messages let down by script and direction
dragonxattack17 August 2021
Wanted to like this film as the messages it is trying to convey are still (sadly) as important today as they ever have been, however it is woefully poorly and clumsily executed.
The characters are not even one dimensional and the whole film has the feel of an acting workshop on 'how not to do it'.
A missed opportunity.
The characters are not even one dimensional and the whole film has the feel of an acting workshop on 'how not to do it'.
A missed opportunity.
Well done reminder that the fight is not over
rparmstrongrp30 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was an excellent movie that showed that society is changing, but there is still a long way to go. For example, there is a scene when the class finds out that the two boys are gay and about two-thirds cheer to support them when they enter the room while the other third are drawing horrible cartoons of them in their notebooks. There are many other scenes that show the irony, such as when the kids go to the gay bar to support their friend and the straight bullies are there drinking. Furthermore, bullying, obesity, and privilege are also dealt with in the storyline.
The love story between the boys who have been friends since very young is beautiful, and it is heartbreaking at the end when one of them is forced to betray the other. The acting is overall very good for teenage actors, and it is great to see Cecilia Suárez in a role very different than in "La casa de flores."
Other reviews question why there can't be a gay movie with a happy ending, but there are literally hundreds on Amazon Prime and Netflix. Another review implies that people are sick of "more of the same." To me, this is like when white people say they are tired of hearing about racism (especially since the U.S. had a black president). Tired of hearing about it? Imagine how tiring it must be having to live with regularly being on the receiving end of oppression! The same applies to homophobia. The fact that many countries have legalized gay marriage does not imply that all hardships are gone for LGBTQ+ individuals. Teenage suicide is still a major problem, and movies like Mariposas Verdes and "Thirteen Reasons Why" remind us that we all can contribute to the problem or be part of the solution, even if in a small way. As the movie reminds us at the end, it was only in 2015 that Colombia passed laws to protect sexual orientation and identity in schools. This issue is far from settled in the minds of many.
The love story between the boys who have been friends since very young is beautiful, and it is heartbreaking at the end when one of them is forced to betray the other. The acting is overall very good for teenage actors, and it is great to see Cecilia Suárez in a role very different than in "La casa de flores."
Other reviews question why there can't be a gay movie with a happy ending, but there are literally hundreds on Amazon Prime and Netflix. Another review implies that people are sick of "more of the same." To me, this is like when white people say they are tired of hearing about racism (especially since the U.S. had a black president). Tired of hearing about it? Imagine how tiring it must be having to live with regularly being on the receiving end of oppression! The same applies to homophobia. The fact that many countries have legalized gay marriage does not imply that all hardships are gone for LGBTQ+ individuals. Teenage suicide is still a major problem, and movies like Mariposas Verdes and "Thirteen Reasons Why" remind us that we all can contribute to the problem or be part of the solution, even if in a small way. As the movie reminds us at the end, it was only in 2015 that Colombia passed laws to protect sexual orientation and identity in schools. This issue is far from settled in the minds of many.
Typical sad ending gay movie
chrischurcher-453511 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A sad ending but a great film. Yes it is a budget movie but people need to understand that before writing bad reviews because of it. Hopefully it inspired Colombian men to cone out of the closet and fight for their rights.
Well-made but depressing
RES5516 April 2024
Made in 2017, the closing explains that "In 2015, the Colombian government ordered a revision of school charter rules to include respect for sexual orientation and gender identity". The film's action predates 2015 and explains why this humane ruling was needed. "Mariposas Verdes" is important and unflinching in demonstrating what always happens when homophobic bullies and cruel, bigoted, corrupt authorities and authority figures are allowed to victimize the innocent, especially young people who happen to be different and women, both within institutions and families. In addition to horrendous acts of domestic spousal and child abuse, we see high school kids forced to endure brutal discrimination, rape, and ultimately, suicides--one at both ends of the film! A very moving, well-made, but relentlessly disturbing film, and one that should be seen, especially in the US, where bully-rule has become the norm since the 2016 election, now with a Supreme Court backing the bullies against human rights and personal freedoms. That Colombia should now be ahead of the US in this regard is disgraceful.
A shocking reality that needed to be addressed
murrayeskdale7 February 2024
This film uses a subtle poetic visual narrative flow to address a series of human issues that touch a wider range of age groups. This film starts with a stark tragic resultant reality, then steps back addressing a series adolescent issues that have permanent impact on all . I'm glad the writer's and actors didn't hold back on the bullying and bigotry, as it is a harsh reality of us who make up society. The ending is horrific, maybe this is the symbolic smack in the face that we needed. It's with great love and support,that I send out to the victims of emotional, verbal or physical violence. Xx.
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