Ekaj is a raw, authentic story about two gay youths surviving and hustling on the streets of New York. The film reminds one of Kids, Tangerine, and Midnight Cowboy in various ways. Technically, the film is raw and unfiltered, not unlike in Tangerine, but it suits the film well as we feel like a fly on the wall, intimately observing the proceedings as if we are right there with the two leads, Ekaj and Mecca. Overall, it almost feels like a documentary that is hands off and lets us observe the actors behaving so naturally that it does feel like we are witnessing real people in their normal surroundings -- which is a testament to the performances of the two leads, as well as the director. Ekaj feels honest and authentic and I think that's a particularly valuable thing in today's cinema. I definitely recommend this movie.