Yonkis: Un Mundo Gay Adolescente is a new web series directed and produced by 19 year-old Colombian video blogger, Jhoncito Arango.
Set in Medellín, Colombia the series revolves around a group of gay teens — Juan Pablo, José Julián, Miguel, Jerónimo and Esteban — members the “Yonkis” gang . In the first episode, Juan Pablo, leaves home after falling out with his homophobic father and settles in Medellín where he meets a new group of friends — the “Yonkis”. The gang shows him around the city and introduces him to the rival “Pink Boys” gang.
In episode two, one of the “Pink Boys” steals a bracelet Juan Pablo received from his ex-girlfriend. When the “Yonkis” go to get the bracelet back, they are challenged to a dance-off by the “Pink Boys”. The two gangs meet in a park, and as they prepare for the choreographed dance competition, they realize that reaching common ground is harder than they thought.
Producer/director Arango is a multitasker extraordinaire creating, writing, acting, directing, producing and editing the series. Yonkis is no small accomplishment given the subject matter of the series and the lack of funding (government or private) in Colombia.
Arango has stated that people have been very supportive of the initiative but that technical issues are “particularly hard”. He is using a Tumblr page to address criticism and complaints about how the show’s characters are effeminate and to build awareness for diversity both inside the LGBT community and beyond. Arango is currently attending university in Medellín.
You can follow Yonkis on Facebook, Twitter, tumblr and YouTube.
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