Aleksandr’s Price is a disturbing, quite involving 2013 American-Spanish psychological drama film written, edited, and produced by Pau Masó, who also co-directs with David Damen. It stars Pau Masó, Anatoli Grek, Josh Berresford, Samantha Glovin, and Keith Dougherty.
Set in New York City, the film tells the story of a basically nice but totally lost Russian young man in Manhattan who, traumatised after his mother commits suicide, is left homeless, penniless and more or less alone, becomes desperate, and is prompted, accidentally at first, into becoming a male prostitute.
Aleksandr Ivanov, played by Masó, then falls into the dark side of prostitution after the loss of his mother, developing dissociative identity disorder, and eventually seeks counselling. The story plays in flashback, told to the counsellor (Anatoli Grek as Dr Mary).
The film is quite serious minded, and explores the themes of American sexual promiscuity, troubled youth and ultimate survival in an uncaring, friendless New York City and the problems of excessive use of alcohol and other drugs.
It relies strongly on the considerable charms of its hero, though there are some hesitancies in Pau Masó’s generally convincing and appealing performance. The same is true of the film. But it’s pretty good though, even if, like the hero, we’re dragged into some very awkward situations. It’s an ambitious, brio effort from Pau Masó, capturing the flavour of Manhattan and the male prostitute life of a sex worker.
Aleksandr’s Price was shot over 25 days in March 2012 in New York City. Masó scouted the actors, crew and locations.
It released its trailer in March 2013. It screened at the Philadelphia QFest on July 12, 2013 before its official premiere on September 24, 2013.
Cast: Pau Masó as Aleksandr, Anatoli Grek as Dr Mary, Josh Berresford as Keith, Samantha Glovin as Emma, and Keith Dougherty as Tom.
© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,276
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