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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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Utopians (Mandarin/Cantonese)

By Golu

I know very few film maker names in queer cinema, but for some reason the name Scud has stayed with me. People either love or hate his films. Hence I had my apprehensions when I started watching this film. The film has a LOT of full nudity, so be aware of what you are getting into to watch.

Young college student Hins lives with his single mom and has a steady Catholic girlfriend Joey for three years now. When a new philosophy professor Antonio comes to teach the class, the very introductory lecture about homosexuality stirs something in Hins. He wants to get close enough to Antonio to understand him, who is more than happy to take him under his wing. Mysterious appearance of Swan, Antonio's research assistant adds to the intrigue since she promotes both Hins and his girlfriend separately to let their feelings go and believe in all kinds of sexuality and love. Finally Hins gives into Antonio's advances and they have sex but Antonio gets arrested for having sex with underage boy. After some family secrets are revealed, we also get to know the true identity of Antonio and Swan and there starts a beautiful foursome relationship between them, Hins and Joey.

Many have described the film as being poetic, but I didn't find that way. It was, according to me, very straight forward barring a couple of dream sequences which could be termed "poetic". A professor's pushing gay agenda on students seem to liberal to me and more than that a friendship and relationship that student/teacher share and no one bats an eyelid is also a bit hard to digest. The story is interesting and done in a nice way, but thats it. Its not bad (the story) but its not great either. The 2 lead actors thankfully do a great job and have good chemistry and screen presence. Swan has an enigma. The whole last 15-20 minutes of Antonio being arrested, secrets being revealed, IMO , was totally unnecessary and didn't do much to the story except help Hins come out as possibly bisexual to his mother.

A very average film albeit with an intriguing theme and concept. You will not be missing out much if you miss this film. (4.5/10) 

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