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...
The documentary takes us through many conversations and chats and interviews where these elderly gay folks share their experiences growing up at a time when many homosexuals considered homosexuality shameful, of their efforts to make peace with their deepest inclinations and their responses to changing times. It is a diverse sample that includes a male couple who have been together for 54 years, a black great-grandmother, a former Catholic monk who has become a rancher, a German Jewish refugee from Hitler. Every single one of these people found their way out of lies and loneliness by different means. One of the women would just call bar after bar asking if there was any old lesbian she could talk to. Maria, the great-grandmother, was helped by a psychiatrist. Others drew courage from the example of younger homosexuals who went into the streets to demonstrate for what they felt were their rights. Now, having come out, they seem ready to celebrate. At a party in New York thrown by a group called Senior Action in a Gay Environment, they all come together not believing that such thing could ever happen.
One has to remember that this documentary came back in 1985, which mean the time these individuals were dealing with their feelings and struggles belongs to a time that most of us were not even born. However hard we try, we can only imagine what life must have been like. And interestingly, even in today's time, I wonder what kind of support is out there for older LGBTQ community members. It is so endearing to see this older couple remembering the days they met each other, young and handsome. But its the love and sparkle in their eyes, even 54 years later, very much in love which is so obvious and evident. I really enjoyed watching this film , just under an hour; just to hear and see and remind ourselves thats lets just not take things for granted just because ewe have it easier. (6/10)
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