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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
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...
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Ljósvíkingar (Icelandic/English) [Odd Fish]

By Golu
A heartwarming tale of dreams, identity and acceptance, set in a small community in the picturesque Westfjords of Iceland, this film was quite alright. I wouldn't call this film a gay film per say, but stories of self acceptance and being true to yourself and such themes are integral part of the film, so it does make sense to review it here.

We meet two childhood friends Hjalti and Bjorn who run a fish restaurant in a fishing village they both grew up. Hjalti's wife and son moved to Reykjavik, after the son came out gay and was constantly bullied in school, so things between him and wife are not ok. Also he cannot accept that his son is gay. When Bjorn's father dies, he decides he has had enough and decides to come out as trans to his friend and the entire community. This is the same time when the dup also are getting an opportunity to keep their restaurant open throughout the year with a. New tour group starting northern light tours. When Bjorn comes out, suddenly Hjalti's prejudices are all over on the surface and it gets hard for them to work together. They barely talk while preparing restaurant for winter, while Bjorn (now Birna) is very clear that she is not going to change back to man just because his friend wants to. He slowly starts to warm up as preps for restaurant winter opening is in full swing. Hjalti doesn't understand it but Birna make shim realize the importance of having a family and kids and loved ones, something Birna will miss and likely will never have. Hjalti reaches out back to his family, to make amends. Circa one year later, we see that Hjalti has connected with his family whereas Birna is still happily running the restaurant year round.

The center character of the film is actually Hjalti a don't the trans character as the film suggests. Its journey of Hjalti, who feels betrayed having been left alone by his best friend after his family. But the real life trans actress playing the character of Birna does leave lasting impression. The emotions of friendship and their conversations felt real. Having been to Iceland, seeing the picturesque location was extremely beautiful. Birna's action and her future was actually straight forward. Sh never sees any resistance from anyone. They are all quite accepting except for the best friend, whose character is quite questionable. He is not a family man, has issues with so being gay and now with his best friend for being trans. The man needs a lot of lessons to learn which he eventually does and learn to become tolerant . It is an interesting dialogue when the uy says he does mind anyone being gay but does when it is his own son. The film is more about accepting people for who they are and being supportive for your friends, family and loved ones. (6/10)
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