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Burlesk King is the second film in the gay-themed trilogy of Mel Chionglo and Ricky Lee about the lives of macho dancers, men who work as strippers in Manila’s gay bars. The first is Sibak: Midnight Dancers; the third is Twilight Dancers. Other films exploring the same theme are Lino Brocka’s Macho Dancer (1988) and Brillante Mendoza’s Masahista (The Masseur, 2005).
Burlesk King explores the gay underworld of Macho Dancers in Manila. Harry (Rodel Velayo) is a Filipino American who has endured his father’s beating since young. He escapes from his house and plots revenge against his dad. Together with his friend, James (Leonardo Litton), he moves out of Olongapo to the big city of Manila. They move in with James’ lesbian sister and her lover.
The guys then quickly succumb to the easy money of the gay industry, and become macho dancers in the city’s gay club, Papa’s Bar, dancing and performing for the club’s hungry gay clients.
Night after night, Harry and James gyrate their half naked bodies on stage. Harry soon finds himself trapped in his present environment which slowly erodes his innocence. He moves on to locate his father and discovers that his mother is still alive. Learning forgiveness from her, Harry learns to accept his past and move on with his future.
Information
Director: Mel Chionglo
CAST: Rodel Velayo, Nini Jacinto, Leonardo Litton
Category: Drama
Language: Tagalog with English Subtitles
Country: Philippines
