The reality of addiction in a tough-minded docudrama set in the bleak milieu of hustlers and junkies in Montreal.

Zhenya Tsoi impersonates Russian showbiz stars, from Philipp Kirkorov to Lolita. He’s 33 and he lives with his long-time partner Maxim, who is a bus driver and a real support for Zhenya. This tragi-comic story looks at two people trying to create their own family home in the face of the harsh realities of modern Russia. In 21st century Moscow, is it possible to be gay and live happily in your small family? This full-length observation zooms right in on its characters, contrasting the somewhat comical private life of a couple with the decidedly unfunny conditions at a far from comic time in the history of a grim country. These two vivid characters are like a convex mirror reflecting any and all long-term relationships.

Sebastian’s comfortable Los Angeles existence is thrown out of orbit when news of his mother’s deteriorating health sends him flying back to his hometown in Peru. Once there, his previous life as a closeted son seamlessly starts again. When his handsome husband Josh shows up unannounced – to the shock and disdain of his mother and her community – Sebastian must confront two vastly different cultures, both of which have profoundly informed his identity. Gracefully shot and directed, Carlos Ciurlizza’s impressive debut signals an exciting new talent to watch.