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...
Ellie and Leo are best friends. Ellie is a former concert pianist who’s begrudgingly working in hospitality and event planning. Leo is a successful romance novelist with writer’s block and has been single for a while. Ellie gets fired for being too distracted at her latest job, the two friends come up with an idea to swap their homes. Ellie will go to Leo’s house in the country to clear her head, and Leo will go to Ellie’s apartment in the city to find new inspiration for his novel. What happens is destined. Leo's neighbor and friend Sam ropes Ellie into helping a string quartet get ready for a performance, thereby not only igniting the parked musician inside her and eventually also maybe finding love. On the other hand, enter Matt, a chef friend of Ellie, who not only catches Leo's attention but also someone who inspires and encourages him to write something new. Of course, during the Cours the two men also realize that they both may finally have found some love in each other because they both make each other a better person. Of course, as expected, there is a minimal drama of sorts, where both Ellie and Leo purposely don't follow their heart since they know they have to go back home eventually, but they come to senses and decide to listen to their heart and let destiny take its own course.
This is a quintessential holiday autumn movie, the like that you see around Christmas when we are overloaded with such movies. The kind of movies, which you can watch and enjoy right when they come and around the season they are meant to be seen. Rightly so, as you an imagine form the title, this is a fall movie. We’re talking leaves, we’re talking warm tones, sweaters, blazers, puffy vests, and steaming cups of coffee. This isn’t just notes of autumn — it’s a whole symphony of autumn! Notes of Autumn uses the trimmings of the fall season to decorate every scene, kinda like how the holiday romances pack every set with evergreens and snow. It will make you feel like it’s fall even if the actual weather outside doesn’t. And that is what this film is trying to do. If you start nitpicking the story details, it is very predictable and honestly doesn't offer anything new. It's the chatters that try to make it charming. Ellie is an eternal optimist, who is trying to put down he love of music and realize her true potential and love both in profession and for a person. As a renowned author dealing with writer's block, Leo does a good job of playing his part. As predictable as the film is, it is held together by its four leads and the charm they exude, even though at time it feels too much and maybe a bit unreal in 2023. But hey, aren't films supposed to be a medium for disbelief. Finding love for love and not lust was clearly the aim here. And all you get are two kisses towards the end. I enjoyed the character set-up, and the natural flow of the film. It was relatable instead of sensational, and I loved that.
This film delivers exactly what it promises as a Hallmark film. A holiday quintessential romantic film and this time with a gay storyline too. Watch it with the exact expectations and it delivers what ir promises. Nothing more, nothing less. (6.5/10)
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