MovieChat Forums > La león (2008) Discussion > Turu gay? Was it actually rape?

Turu gay? Was it actually rape?


I have been questioning something about the film. I did actually consider before the rape that Turu was gay. I may be totally off the mark here. But, do you think Alvaro was actually raped or was it consensual in some secondary form? I'm not sure whether he somehow knew or suspected Turo was gay, and knew the only way to get him to reveal his sexuality was through goading him into something like this? Possibly he knew that Turo wouldn't admit it, or show his sexuality in any other way.

It could have been rape, but earlier things in the film prior to the scene, as well as Alvaro making no struggle at all and mutely saying he was enjoying it, made me question this.

I also just had a look on wikipedia and it does also suggest that Turu had some attraction and feelings for Alvaro "He views Álvaro as a threat, bullying him almost constantly. However, as the film progresses, El Turu's hidden attraction to Álvaro becomes obvious".

reply

I believe Turu was attracted to Alvaro in one way or another. To say that he was gay would be misleading but he definitely had a deeply-hidden queer side to him. However, I must admit that I don't think that what happened between the two in the woods was actually rape. At least, not in the traditional sense of the word since it was rather obvious that they didn't have any real intercourse. Turu didn't pull his pants down and didn't remove Alvaro's pants either. It is also rather clear when Turu gets up - both of them have their pants on. I believe it was a metaphorical rape or rather an attempt on Turu's part to humuliate Alvaro. But since the latter didn't put up any struggle and even meekly consented that he was "enjoying it", Turu's attempt failed and he left more frustrated than before.

reply

This is the perfect interpretation of what happened.

reply