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Contrast (Japanese Series)

By Golu
This is basically a high school BL where two guys who have nothing going on in common somehow end up getting really close to each other, and that's kind of the whole point of the title too. There's barely any drama or fluff packed in here, it stays pretty straightforward the whole way through. A little bit of friction pops up here and there, but it's nothing compared to what you'd normally get in this kind of show. Runtime wise you're looking at 8 episodes, each one sitting around 25-30 minutes. The two guys carrying the story are Akira and Kanata, and funny enough they knew each other's faces way before they ever knew each other's names. Kanata's the type everyone likes, always got people around him, popular guy, but there's this distance to him that people can't quite place. Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...
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Modern Love Mumbai: Baai (Hindi)

By Golu
This story is actually one of the six love story in the anthology series Modern Love Mumbai recently released on Amazon Prime. In what feels like a very romantic and poetic setting, this almost 45 minute long film  explores the challenges of coming out in a seemingly-modern society that often keeps its real views on same-sex love in the closet. The title 'Baai' is a Urdu word often used to refer to your grandmother.

Manzu is one of the scions of a conservative Muslim family. A stolen kiss with neighbor boy makes him realize he is gay and comes out to his parents who refuse to believe and understand him. The doting grandmother wants to see him get married but she doesn't know about him and he also doesn't wanna risk her health by coming out to her. The granny is now sick and the family has got together to pay their respects. This is when through flashback we know that Manzu moved to Goa in his passion for music, where he meets a chef Rajveer and before you lock love kicks in. Manzu is not sure because this is really the first time for him, but Rajveer's love make him accept who he is and be true to himself. Eventually the mother comes around too. In the film'a final minutes, the granny makes Manzu tell her the truth because eventually its not gender but the person whose love matters.

There are so many nice things about this film that I don't even know where to begin. Agreed that the film is not trying to be different or make a statement here. The idea is to show the beautiful gaze and chemistry of love keeping your gender biases aside and this is where the film is a huge winner. The director beautifully blends religion, communal riots, family concerns and objections, conservative attitude vs giving into your feelings and the pain that an individual is going through because of his loving family not accepting who they are. Everything feels like a poetry in motion. Probably because of some amazing music and some mouth watering food scenes. Some of my favorite scenes are when Manzu's sister stands up against her parents siding her brother that she has the right to live as he is and with whoever he wants, the wedding scene when the mother finally comes around and of course the final scene with granny. The scene instantly reminded me of the scene from my favorite film 'Big Eden' where our man is scared to come out to his grandfather and their final moments revery touching.  The two lead actors have done an amazing job portraying the love and pain. It's impossible to believe that one of them is straight and married and the other is a real life chef acting for the first time. The cheerfulness and love is pretty much in the air and their passionate bonding over music and food is truly infectious. The scene where they both share their journey of coming out and we se two very different reactions is something I can totally relate to. Surely, there are obvious reasons that I will personally connect with this film a lot more than many of you would, but regardless this is such a meaningful story to tell for Indian context and people. I can't wait for Indian film makers tel more and more beautiful stories of and for the LGBTQ+ community. (8/10)
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Comments

Sailor Maan said…
Loved it thank you Golu for the recommandation! I had a big smile for the rest of the day. Also I can totally relate with the grandmother being more supportive than the parents, maybe another reason why I liked it a lot haha.
The more I watch indian movies like this one, the more I feel a trip to India coming, their atmosphere always win me over!
May 18, 2022 at 5:39 AM
Golu said…
You should definitely plan a trip there. I am Sur eyou will love it. It is nothing like you have ever experienced before.
Glad you liked this short film
May 18, 2022 at 2:58 PM
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