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...
The film Starts with us meeting Peter and Alex, when Peter is helping Alex move in to his new house, they have sex and goto bed. On the other side of the town, Nina wakes up beside her lover. They hug and Nina departs. It’s revealed that Peter and Nina are partners and have been together for the past eight years. They have an open relationship, which was initiated by Nina to explore her sexuality. She is aware of Peter's proximity to Alex, and somehow this has started to bother her. Nina, while she has explored her sexual desires has not been able to form a strong bond with anyone as Peter and Alex have been able to and this bothers her. When Peter and Nina are supposed to go on holiday, they finally Alex for dinner to ask him to take care of their dog. This is when for the first time we hear our actors speak, and I have to admit this was a very engaging conversation. Alex arrives for the awkward dinner, where each of them must discover their place in this new dynamic. All three attempt to make the situation pleasant for everyone, which only amplifies everyone’s discomfort. I won't go into details, but this scenario has some very personal parallels to my life. The couple goes on trip with Alex taking care of t heir dog but also equally heartbroken. The film has an open ending , but one things ic clear that Nina is seeing her bond cracking with Peter while Alex wanting more from Peter.
When the film started and I realized that this is probably going to be a silent film, I wasn't sure how this will play out, but very soon I was engaged. The lack of talking means the viewer has time to study more of every shot and to really get lost in the emotion of the moment without having to parse the language of spoken lines. The film is a very interesting character study, tackling the very nuances of an open relationship; in this case of that of a bisexual couple. The film doesn’t exactly judge the people who are in this open relationship and instead celebrates them, flaws and all. It essentially serves as a reality check for what an open relationship entails and how you should be ready to not just face what comes beyond the honeymoon phase, but also be ready to talk about it. The there actors do a great job and the story captures their inner states, showing their feelings and insecurities while making an honest and realistic portrait of a generation. You can see that Nina was fine with the arrangement, till she realizes that she may be losing Peter in the process. When it comes to Alex, a young gay man, he feels lot more for Peter but also knows what he has gotten himself into. He tries to drown himself into parties and meaningless sex, but cries out when alone because what he really wants is Peter's company. The almost 15 minute scene where they all meet for dinner and talk and get to know each other little better seemed so real and you could feel the weirdness tension but also the smoothness at the same time. And it was interesting to see that it is Peter who is the most comfortable in the whole situation and it is Alex and Nina who have to deal with their issues, love and longing for Peter. On the surface, it feels like a simple, calming and sensual film about three people learning to love each other and themselves. But underneath the surface, it is trying to make a commentary on the trials and tribulations that come with open relationships, and in this case with our protagonists each coming in with their own baggage. Sometimes a simple film can impress you more than what you think. Another example of a pleasant surprise when you have zero or low expectations. (6.5/10)
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