Stories of Our Lives is an anthology of five short films with LGBT themes from the East African republic of Kenya. It was made by the Nairobi-based art and activist group The Nest Collective, many of whose members prefer to conceal their identities to avoid possible persecution under Kenya’s notoriously draconian anti-gay laws. The film is still banned in it some country. The five dramas are mostly personal and domestic inspired by true incidents. ASK ME NICELY Kate, a rebellious young high school girl, meets first-love Faith, a fellow student. They begin a secret relationship, until the school principal takes action to separate the two by suspending Kate from the school. Back at home, Kate impulsively has a sexual encounter with a boy in her neighborhood. Two weeks later, Kate and Faith have an awkward reunion leading to their separation. RUN After negotiating a business deal, Patrick stumbles upon a local gay bar with his homophobic best friend, Kama. Patrick later returns to the clu...
Wu Zheng is an ordinary man living an ordinary life. One day a boy named Yu Shi bumps into him crying for help. Not knowing what to do, he brings him home and finds out that he is actually his neighbor, But Yu Shi seems have a childlike mental condition coming across asa harmless and innocent young boy. Wu Zheng starts to take care of him and starts feeling an inexplicable attraction and love towards Yu Shi. The duo become lovers and Wu Zheng also introduces him to his grandfather. Its only through flashbacks that we find out that Yu Shi has DID. Yu Shi was. Molested when he was just 5 years old and Noah, his split personality came into being to protect him all these years. Noah also stays with Wu Shen but resists his sexual advances. Through a doctor friend of his, Wu Zheng figures this out and decides to be with Yu Shi and Noah with al th love and support that he can, leading to a loving end where Noah tells Wu Zheng that he feels comfortable that he will take good care of Yu Shi.
Despite an intriguing and interesting premise, my biggest issue with the show was the seemingly placement of episodes. The first episode starts with things right in the bang middle and as audience it takes time for you to understand what really is going on. Who are these people, what's their relationship etc. The structure of the story seemed convoluted, but its the third episode when we get to know the back story and things start to make sense. I do understand the makers wanting to keep the big reveal for later, but then the initial episodes should have been shot in a different way. We should have at least been told how the two leads met, at the bare minimum. Also the whole premise as to why suddenly Wu Zheng falls for Yu Shi and starts sexual relationship is questionable but I am going to put those aside for now. Coming to acting, I think the two leads do a. Decent job of what is expected of them. Although Yu Shi has a meatier part and scope for showing his acting chops, its actually Wu Zheng that takes the limelight here. He is more natural and comfortable with his character. Thankfully, the romantic scenes involving kisses and body contacts feel natural and they have good chemistry. At no point, there is any awkwardness which definitely helps. My other complaint is about introducing a second gay couple between the doctor and Wu Zheng's friend. That was so not needed. It was a clear act of desperation that had no business being in the script besides their primary need of supporting characters.
Overall, with a short duration and novel story, its still a series worth celebrating for its efforts for an innovative plot. Yes the execution can use a LOT of improvement, but I am willing to make that concession for once here, only because the story was focussed and there was no unnecessary distractions from the main story. (6/10)
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