Not Angels but Angels

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Audience Member even though this was clearly the work of an amateur, it was a very good documentary. the close-up shots of the boys' faces highlighted the complex emotions that (must) accompany working as a prostitute. i think that this film made it easy to have sympathy/empathy for the young men b/c it highlighted how human they are (i.e., how their paths in life were changed dramatically by only a few experiences). Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member The title sums up the movie. You feel sorry for these kids, but at the same time, you don't feel sorry for them. On the "sorry" side, you understand that they are too young to get jobs and rent apartments, and they have run away from home for various reasons -- probably good reasons in many cases. On the other hand, they are hustlers trying to squeeze as much money out of clients for doing as little as they can get away with doing. Their horizon is limited. Would they be interested in someone who really wanted to take care of them? That seems doubtful. On the other hand, how many people who are interested in these young men for sex are willing to do more for them than pay them money for a one-night stand? My guess would be not many. The bottom line: a pretty face will make you money, and sex is a fungible commodity in this modern world of ours. The only thing that really seems to pull people together for a long term commitment is children. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member The director uses some cheap tactics to evoke the sympathy he wants: classical music, dark settings, leaving the camera run during awkward silences, zooming in on the subjects' faces when he notices his subject is disturbed, popping the AIDS question on every subject. And it doesn't work on me; I don't feel bad for these kids. All I can think is - wow Prague has got some hot dumb cheap young ass! The subjects run the gamut from a 15 year old runaway with a gambling addiction to a 19 year old who has made prostitution a successful, comfortable, and safe career for himself. Too bad that when the director gets all these guys together for a party that he doesn't arrange for some intracommunity counseling between the smarter tricks and the reckless ones. There's a couple explicit photos that attempt to be censored, but you can see everything. And compared to other documentaries on prostitution, the "bad stories" are not that bad. The worst is a masochist who whipped and beat a boy and then refused to pay. Most of the other tricks just moan about not liking anal, but that's like a fireman bitching about not wanting to go in burning buildings. One weather-worn trick talks about an era in which he was working at a cheap brothel and having nine clients a day slamming his ass - now THAT'S a legitimate complaint. Like I said I don't feel bad for these guys; they all admit to doing it for the money and none who dislike the job discuss specifically why they cannot work or live elsewhere. It is alluded to when one of the subjects says that most of the guys spend the money they make at clubs on the same night they make it, and the 15 year old asks the film-maker on camera for a loan so he can gamble. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member You know it's got to be a difficult and sad life for these kids. Being a father now makes it hard to watch, but underlines the need for good parenting everywhere. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Not Angels but Angels

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