Straight

In the intimate and poignant drama, Straight, the life of 32-year-old Roberto is that of a modern-day prisoner. On the surface, his existence appears to be the epitome of success: he holds a high-profile job as a banker, has a talented and beautiful girlfriend named Elia, and seemingly has it all together. However, beneath this façade lies a man struggling to find meaning and authenticity in his life. His weekends are consumed by work obligations, further eroding the precious little free time he has to devote to himself. This sense of discontentment is exacerbated by the stifling monotony of his relationship with Elia, which, after six years, has devolved into a predictable and loveless arrangement. While he may have thought his relationship was secure and stable, Roberto has begun to feel a gnawing sense of restlessness and disconnection from the life he's built. Despite outward appearances, he feels trapped and longing for something more – something that transcends the conventions and expectations of his world. One day, while swiping through a gay dating app, Roberto meets Cris, a charismatic 20-year-old with a zest for life that's palpable even from their brief online interactions. There's something about Cris's unbridled enthusiasm that resonates with Roberto on a deep level, awakening feelings and desires he thought were long suppressed. As they begin to connect online, Roberto finds himself increasingly drawn to Cris, experiencing a sense of excitement and freedom that he hasn't felt in years. Cris is the antithesis of everything Roberto thought he wanted – beautiful, young, carefree, and unapologetically himself. Their relationship blossoms quickly, and for the first time in years, Roberto feels like he's rediscovered his own desires and identity. As they spend more time together, Roberto is forced to confront the reality of his stagnant life with Elia, who is increasingly oblivious to his growing emotional and psychological detachment. The line between Roberto's two worlds – the straight-identified world of Elia and his corporate job, and the new world of Cris and gay identity he's been drawn to – begins to blur. He starts to question whether the life he's built is truly the one he wants, or simply one that was expected of him. The façade of his perfect life begins to crack, revealing the fissures of a person desperate to break free from the constraints of his conformity. As Roberto navigates the complexities of his dual identity, he must confront the societal expectations and pressures that have kept him in a state of stasis for so long. The film is a poignant exploration of the human desire for authenticity, freedom, and love – the very things that have been stripped from Roberto by his adherence to societal norms. Through his relationship with Cris, Roberto is given the opportunity to rediscover himself, to confront his doubts and fears, and to choose a path that is truer to who he is, both as an individual and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. But as the stakes rise, Roberto is forced to confront the harsh realities of his decision: the potential loss of his relationship with Elia, the scrutiny of his professional colleagues, and the fear of not conforming to societal expectations. Ultimately, Straight is a powerful exploration of the human search for self and the need to be true to oneself, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. As Roberto grapples with the complexities of his identity, the film poses a profound question: what does it mean to be "straight" in a world where conformity is prized above all else? Is it possible to be true to oneself without compromising one's values or risking the judgments of others?