This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
Bambino, a delivery bike driver, is a single man, very used to his ways of living. He is looking to a possible promotion, and given that he has a stable job, he doesn't hesitate to help neighbors financially where he can and is generous when people are late repaying him. A girl in his neighborhood that he is close friends with, like shim and make occasional advances but he keeps things at a distance. However, everything changes when he meets Bawa, a charismatic photographer, during a photo competition. The two men hit it off immediately. It is very clear that Bawa sees in Bambino someone more than just a friend. But given the social norms, neither of them does anything. When Bawa invites Bambino for a meal and gives him a gift, the possibility of what is happening freaks Bambino out and he cuts himself off from all chats with Bawa, only to come back a few weeks later and remind him that they can only strictly be friends. One day when Bambino gets into an accident, Baa takes care of him for a few days and one day even makes a sexual advance towards him, but gets a very angry response form Bambino who asks him to leave immediately. A weird rift occurs between two friends. Bawa is changing job and moves to a different location. Just when I thought that the film would end on a sad note, it surprises with a positive message when we see Bambino going to Bawa's new work place and decides to model for him in full nude thereby telling us he is ready to embrace who he really is.
I have visited Nigeria a few times and I can attest that same-sex relations remain taboo and even punishable in the country, so it's natural when you see Bambino behave the way he does. But you also feel for Bawa because he is ready to take the risk and make an effort for a guy with whom he has some sort of connection. But these situations are never easy. The film moves at a very slow pace and it has a sombre mod throughout. The two men dance around each other with various meetings, dinners, photography sessions, exploring Lagos getting to know each other and this unfolds slowly, in images that are concentrated and filled with calm. There are subtle gestures and glances and never anything in your face. You can feel the attraction and sexual tension but also the hesitation of not wanting to act on any of the feelings. What is interesting in the film is that you see the city of Lagos as well through the eyes of its two main characters, and that is something I found very unique. I am sure it must have been hard for the film makers to even find actors to agree to do such a role. Again, asa reminder, the film moves at a snail's pace, and a lot is left unsaid, allowing the actors to convey tremendous depth of feeling merely with facial expressions and body language. So this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I actually enjoyed it very much, and I am glad I did. I wonder of the film will ever see a release in the home country of Nigeria, but I hope some popular streaming service picks it up.
With stunning cinematography that captures both the intimate connections between the characters and the busy metropolis around them, this film emerges as a politically significant narrative about finding love where you least expect it. A beautifully told portrait of unjustly forbidden love, this is a powerful reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and the beauty of human connection. (7/10)
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