Skip to main content

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 Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...
Post a Comment

De Klas van 2000 (Dutch Mini-Series) [The Class of 2000]

By Golu
This is how some series should be (take a cue Asian BLs). I mean, just 6 episodes, each of 11 minutes each and the mini-series says so much with so little. I love every single second of it. Poignant, sentimental, emotional and with respect and dignity it shows us a story about one man's past trying to reconcile with his present. As per the director of the show, he wanted to focus on son the show on young adults and whether teenagers in 2025 realize that not so long ago it was quite hopeless to fall in love with someone of the same sex. Things have changed drastically between 2000 and current times. This series tells the story of Seb, a father who comes out as a gay in 2025 and thus ends his relationship with his child's mother. What follows is an intimate portrait of personal growth, identity and the search for acceptance.

Seb is in the middle of divorce from his wife and the teenage daughter doesn't understand it. In pain, Seb blurts out, "Because I am gay". The daughter now wants to know everything, And this is how we see the story of Seb, who is coming out gay 25 years after he has known about himself and how the daughter comes to term with this new reality of her father and her own identity. . We see how back in the class of 2000, his chance interactions with class friend Denis are going to change things for him. On New Year's Eve, the du get drunk and end up spending some time when Denis' girlfriend dumps him. Seb realizes he is gay, he surfs internet to understand more but is also scared when a fellow classmate gets constantly bullied in school or when his brother openly calls him fag having seen his internet history. But Denis is different. They start to come close and in fact even share a passionate kiss at one moment. Seb is still not sure and at another instant when they fool around little more than kiss, Seb totally freaks out and asks Denis to leave. Prom soon follows and thats the last time the two friends saw each other. Back in present, the daughter finds out Denis online and arranges for him to meet his father after convincing he really needs to move on. Seb sees that Denis is now happily married gay man and he came out in college second year. Seb feels a bit of pain but also hope at the same time that maybe he will eventually find some true love.

This is a very interesting series. To translate the clash between generations – an early millennial versus a Gen Z'er – we see a dialogue between a liberated father and a teenage daughter using flashbacks into the year 2000, the year in which Seb celebrated his feelings for a man for the first and last time. We see how during his adolescent years , Seb struggled with his sexuality, feelings and identity. There was no support system. Although society has become more open in many areas, puberty remains a difficult phase for young people who want to come out of the closet. Teenagers are still hard on themselves and on each other. That hasn't changed in 25 years. That's why stories like this are still badly needed today. And the way you see the growth of the teenage daughter from being totally mad, to slowly trying to understand her father's perspective and how much loss he probably has had in life to finally accepting him and cheering for him was marvelous. And what can I say about Seb. I personally know many folks who struggled with their sexual identity but eventually gave in to social pressures. I was same but thankfully came to senses much quicker than our protagonist Seb here. You are born in a certain way, and you don't have to fight that person. It only brings pain – with yourself but also to people around you who care for you, like Seb has with his daughter in the series.' The journey is not easy but it's worth it. It doesn't pay to pretend to be someone you're not. If the series starts a dialogue, that would be a good start. This little mini series is just perfect. It shows a great story, without any distractions, focuses on what really wants to say and with its emotional storytelling. This will connect with viewers for sure. I really cannot find a fault with this one. Highly recommend. (8.5/10)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Phor Lae Lukchai (Thai) [Father & Son]

By Golu
I think the budget of this film was probably too small, but for that, the film definitely offers a different and unique storyline without over dramatizing anything. Yes, some scenes were a bit amateurish but in the bigger scheme of things, that can be overlooked. The film is both beautiful and sad in its own unique way. Aek is a gay dad, whose partner died right around the time their son Nueng was born through surrogacy in a road accident. The relationship between father and son is unpleasant and unstable. We are not really told why, but it seems the father has been unsuccessful in caring and loving his son because of his partner's death. Aek continues to hook up wit hookers. Also, Nueng is constantly bullied by everyone around him for having a gay dad. He has no friends, except Nat, a neighborhood boy, who also happens to be Nueng's boyfriend. In a sudden turn of events Nat is found murdered along with another boy naked. Saddened by the events, Nueng jumps from roof and k...
1 comment
Read more

Gaya Sa Pelikula (Filipino Series) [Like In The Movies]

By Golu
Pinoy BL series seem to be catching up to the popularity of the Thai shows. And I must say that they are doing a pretty good job at it. Where Thai series started to get repetitive with so many shows based in a college setting with seemingly similar storylines, Pinoy series are offering the viewers with new and interesting stories and some really good sets and surroundings. This series was 8 episodes of about 25-20 minutes each. Karl, a 19-year old introvert architecture student is in the middle of an identity crisis. Prior to the start of the second semester in college and forced by his parents, he moves into his uncle's condominium unit so that he can learn to be financially independent. Karl takes on odd jobs online to do so. But when one of his major clients suddenly goes MIA, he is left short on funds and without a means to pay for his utilities. An opportunity presents itself when his cocky neighbor Vlad has to hide from his family and proposes to share Karl's space for th...
23 comments
Read more

The Tuxedo (Thai Series)

By Golu
When I saw this series with 8 episodes of about 20-25 minutes each, I thought, good: Finally someone has come to senses and made a show which is not stretched out and they have tried to squeeze in a decent storyline in a good small episode format. But unfortunately, despite a decent premise on hand, the clunky writing, bad screenplay and an extreme tasteless portrayal of mental illness makes this show, not a fun watch. By the time it finishes, you just want to laugh off at the entire absurdity of it all. Aioun is talented tuxedo designer and very much in demand but he has handful of clients and he builds suits only for people who he feels a connection to. One night when his younger brother is about to get mugged, he is helped by a total stranger named Sichol. Since he tears his suit in the fight and has an interview the next day, Aioun gifts him a suit form his design as an expression of thanks. Sichol's interview is for. Personal assistant of a man named Nawee, a wealthy heir to h...
25 comments
Read more