Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
Trying to Steal cattle, a local black man Claas Blank is arrested and shipped for 10 years imprisonment in Robben Island. Being a servant before, he is able to speak good English as well along with Dutch. The black and white inmates keep themselves separate and Blank is too to stay away from a white Dutch sailor inmate Jacobsz, who is a 'faggot'. When an English botanist Niven stations himself on the island to develop exportable flower strains, Blank's sills help him find favors with him. Both Blank and Jacobsz are drafted to help with Niven’s project and they end up spending unsupervised time together which soon leads to a sexual escapades mostly to satisfy their urges. Niven sees them but rather than reprimanding, he gives them both opportunities to spend more time (we are later told that he is a closet homosexual as well, whom Jacobsz has seen before in Amsterdam). When Niven returns back, Blank and Jacobsz, back in prison, try to find ways to be with each other. Apparently their's is a relationship that everyone knows of but no one wants to talk. The relationship, as expectation turns soon into love, but the laws of prison soon catches up with them. The new warden of the prison, lays a trap for them because of which the duo are caught in the act red handed and are taken to court for hearing. They are tortured and refuse to confess but Jacobsz eventually gives up and confesses. Right before he is about to be sentenced, Blank confesses as well, eventually leading to a sad ending. At least the two lovers can unit on peace in death.
This film is an interesting thought provoking film, sensual and erotic as the same time on so many levels. The way the love story starts has shown nicely. Blank uses this as an opportunity but also we all need love at some point, but for Jacobsz, it's clear he just wants to be loved. Sadly, the laws and the prison environment doesn't let them be. It was nice to see patrons like Niven, supporting as best as he can. In fact, he even comes to the final court hearing to give his testimonial, but sadly its not taken seriously. My one big problem was the time continuity and not understanding how much time in terms of years has passed. As per records, Blank was only 16 when he was prisoned so he is got to be very young when the affair started, but in the film it's hard to get a sense of that. The makers didn't much to convert the passage of time. Also, it feels the director went out of the way to make the film seem "arty" and "off-beat", which was really not needed. The acting by the two leads is really good. You feel their pain, their love, their agony. You feel they are a part of that era. I can understand why people will have mixed feelings about this film and I am in same category. I quite liked it for a lot of things but I also feel for the film leaves many questions unanswered. The whole Niven angle is never fully explored barring a past scene in Amsterdam. He clearly has some feelings for Blank which even Jacobsz mentions, but is never really detailed out. Also, why the prison officials tolerated the relationship for a full decade before Blank and Jacobsz were executed.
At its heart, it should be a deeply moving love story between two gay men, of different race, different social status, in prison and is true story; fodder for sure shot success, but somehow it just fails to reach the potential that it should have with such an exciting premise on hand. (6/10)
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