Looking for Angel

Suzuki Akihiro: ‘It’s not straight, gay, queer, bisexual, non-sexual or porn. Looking for Angel is an anti-heterosexist movie.’ Suzuki Akihiro’s debut recaptures the waywardness of some early New York ‘underground’ films with its mix of sexual uncertainties, memories, regrets and all-too-fleeting friendships. Shinpei (Suehiro Akira) is a country boy alone in Tokyo, maybe gay, maybe not, invited to a party by a girl he hasn’t seen in a while. It turns out to be a wake for Takachi (Imaizumi Koichi), a gay guy who appeared in straight porno tapes; he was apparently murdered by a casual pick-up. During the night, Shinpei pieces together fragments of Takachi’s story: his friendship with a beautiful rent-boy, his move to Kochi, where ‘the boys are like angels,’ his return to Tokyo… and his heartbreaking plea for gentleness on the last night of his life. (Tony Rayns)