Eastern Boys

In this erotically charged nail-biter, director Robin Campillo takes the audience on a completely unexpected ride when a French businessman’s life changes with a single act. Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin), a dapper, 50-something Parisian, coyly cruises the Gare du Nord, trailing a group of men around the urban shopping plaza. He awkwardly propositions one—a young eastern European immigrant hustler, Marek—to whom he naively gives his address, where they agree to meet the next evening. A nightmarish, yet arousing evening of terror and seduction ensues when Marek keeps the date, but doesn’t come alone. But the youngster returns the following night to make good on the original plan. Soon, Daniel is a regular client and as their bond deepens, lust yields to love and concern, as he comes to understand the corrosive power of Marek’s network. Raising the tension and the stakes throughout the film’s four chapters, Campillo deftly kicks the film into high gear with a heart-pounding finale, showcasing the film’s raison d’etre. –Kevin Schaub