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Comfort woman Nana Rosa shocked the nation with her story few years back. Now is Walter
Dempster aka Walterina Markova's turn to reveal his story as a comfort gay for Japanese soldiers during World War II.
While Spending his waning days at the Home for the Golden Gays, Markova (Dolphy) sees Nana
Rosa on TV and is moved to tears. He relates his experiences to the unbelieving TV journalist Loren Legarda (as herself). The teenager Markova (Jeffrey Quizon) is
prosecuted by his macho brother (Freddie Quizon).
Eric Quizon, as the young adult Markova, is a transvestite who, together with his gay friends, entertains Japanese military officials as dancers in a cabaret. The discovery of their gender begins a nightmare that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Markova, Comfort Gay successfully transports the viewer to the pre-war and Japanese era, thanks to Kay Abano who gave adequate attention to the
details of production design. Better quality of cinematography and sound is also noticeable. Ace comedian Dolphy sheds his clownish mask to portray a fading
homosexual convincingly, while Eric Quizon shows restraint and versatility. Jeffrey Quizon is funny, lovable and gains audience sympathy as a teenage gay finally coming
out of the closet.
Loren Legarda should concentrate on TV journalism and the Senate. In Spite of the interesting story, the thespic talents of the lead cast and the above average technical aspects,
Markova, Comfort Gay fails to move the viewer.
Clodualdo del Mundo's screenplay is wanting and Gil M. Portes is unable to weave together the colorful thread to make a touching and colorful tapestry.
Markova, Comfort Gay deals with the delicate theme of homosexuality and the violation of homosexuals. Every human person is a child of
God.
Hence, he/she must be given the respect and dignity that is due to him/her. "The particular inclination of a homosexual person is not a sin," says the Vatican. It is the acting out of this orientation that constitutes a sin. The Church shows compassion on those who have a different sexual orientation from the normal, but it does not and will not condone whatever is sinful. The atrocities committed against gays and women during World War II are crimes that cry for justice. But wallowing in the mud others have subjected the victim to is no excuse. Each person is given a free will – one can always make a choice. The desire of "Walterina" to seek justice for what was done to him and his friends is commendable. But is it not contradictory that he continues to train
japayukis allowing them to be exploited over and over again? Could this be the reason the viewer is not moved by his story?
The theme, scenes of violence, murder, rape, vulgar language and justification of active
homosexuality and fleshly entertainment render this movie only for mature viewers 18 and above.
(Date reviewed: January 8, 2001)
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