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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
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Do Lado de Fora (Portuguese) [Boys In Brazil]

By Golu
It's good to watch a light hearted comedy film after a while. I have been seeing a lot of heavy duty, raw TV shows and serious films. So this film was a good change in that regard. What's interesting is that the film is not very old. It came in 2014. Although if you see the content of the film, it feels as if it should have come maybe 12-15 years ago. The subject material is slightly dated but hey, lets stop judging for once.

Its gay pride day and best friends & teenagers Mauro and Rodrigo decide to attend this one. Thanks to Mauro's uncle Vincente, who is an executive. After the parade, the three of them see a gay guy being bashed up for four dudes. They fight him and bring him back. His name is Roger and confesses that he is actually in closet, married and with a son. Mauro makes everyone make a pact that before next year's parade they will all have come out. Rodrigo has a crush on a fellow classmate Lucas and Mauro plays cupid to bring them together. Mauro himself wants to become a drag queen. Vincente needs to come out at work but he keeps missing opportunities. When Roger again shows up at Vincent's house, they both begin an affair with the understanding that at some point Roger will tell the truth to his wife. His plans go for a toss when they find that Roger's wife is pregnant again. One evening, Mauro's mother finds about him and as expected they ground him inside home and take him to church and everything; but eventually all of these 4 folks come out to their respective families and work just in time for the next years parade.

My absolute favourite thing about this film was the unconditional friendship that Mauro and Rodrigo shared. They both loved and cared for each other. Mauro does his best to bring Rodrigo close to his crush and at the same time Rodrigo provides full and honest support to Mauro's dream. Never at any stage no one judges Mauro for being effeminate and wanting to be a drag queen. And Lucas does exactly the same. So, yeah as much as it got slightly annoying that Mauro couldn't stand still for even a second, I really felt nice about the non-judgemental aspect of it. Vincente and Roger's relationship was also done very well. It was not all about sex. The two guys genuinely cared about each other and Roger also loved his wife and kids but knew that he can't continue to lie. He goes through his own struggles. Luckily, Vincente never forces him to do anything that Roger is uncomfortable in. For variety sake, a lesbian couple is also thrown in, of which, one of the girls, who writes for a blog to advocate for LGBT rights was very annoying. She is so riled up in LGBT rights, that she doesn't care that coming out is an individual's decision and she can't force anyone. That was very insensitive and I wished somewhere her girlfriend had stood up for the right thing to address that point. So yeah, the story was simple and no it wasn't serious at all. With a light comedy touch, the film never bores you and with just under 90 minutes duration, it passes very breezily.By the way: The Roger guy was so freaking hot. Yum!!

Enjoy the movie and just watch for what it is. A light hearted, harmless comedy that's trying to entertain you with some messaging around being true to yourself. It's important to note how with a little support from family and friends, coming out can be so much more easier for everyone. (6/10)
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