Ekaj (2015)

'Think KIDS meets Midnight Cowboy.' EKAJ is a film packed with real life drama and a real sense of humor. The film capture's a naive teen's runaway journey to one of the most difficult city's to survive in, New York City. We feel Ekaj (Jake Mestre) as he goes through so much rude awakenings. He meets "Mecca" (Badd Idea) a Cynic Artist/Hustler who takes Ekaj under his care. Mecca is a very funny, foul mouthed character and has multiple problems of his own. He stays at his cousins place and we get glimpses of the fact that he has Aids, since he has tattoos with the word written on his knees. He drinks all day and still manages to be sane and sharp. He is also an opportunistic thief. Their relationship develops into true love and care for each other. At the beginning of the film Mecca is doing ok but as the film progresses he becomes sicker and his medication does not really seem to be working for him. At the same time we see Ekaj becoming stronger and less vulnerable. Ekaj lives for the love of his life, a Painter named "Johnny " (Scooter LaForge) who has no tolerance and is constantly beating him. "Johnny" seems indifferent and cold towards Ekaj's desperate love and obsession for him. With no place to really sleep, Ekaj stays during the day with Mecca at his cousin's place, at Johnny's place, or at times staying in hotel rooms payed by coins (clients.)