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...
This indie film is a really powerful look at how a community can suffocate you and the hidden corners young people have to find just to be themselves in so many European towns, even with all the progress we've seen lately. The whole story plays out while the town is bracing for a massive, raging flood, and you just can't shake the feeling that some kind of intense reckoning or unavoidable doom is headed their way. To be honest, I didn't go in with super high expectations, but the way it’s put together makes it a seriously compelling watch. Plus, it’s not every day you get to see an LGBT-themed movie coming out of Croatia!
The story follows Marko, a popular 18-year-old kid who seems to have it all—he’s got a girlfriend, he’s a competitive arm wrestler, and he’s well-liked at school. When he isn't in class, he’s usually hanging out with his brother, who has a disability, or helping his mom out in her greenhouse. Everything gets flipped upside down when a guy named Slaven suddenly shows up again after being gone for three years following his father’s death. At first, Marko goes out of his way to avoid him, and you can tell there's some heavy history there. But one night, the two of them share a joint by the river—which is slowly swelling from all the rain—and they start to bond again. As the town gets more frantic about the impending flood, Marko is totally distracted because he can't stop thinking about Slaven, and he sneaks off to be with him every chance he gets. Eventually, they give in and sleep together. We find out through the grapevine that Marko’s mom actually caught them years ago and ratted them out to Slaven’s parents, who kicked him out and sent him packing to Berlin. Back in the present, Marko’s mom starts suspecting things again and ends up beating him, and once his girlfriend finds out, she tells the whole school. Just like that, Marko’s "perfect" life totally falls apart because of the homophobia in their small community.
The movie is packed with themes like loss, hidden sexuality, that weird nostalgia for your hometown, and the urge to just run away when things hurt too much. I actually saw a stat saying only about 28% of LGBTIQ people in Croatia feel like they can be open in public, which I had no clue about, but you can definitely see that reflected in Slaven’s life. He’s back as a total outsider, and while his mom won't talk about how they treated him, she clearly wants to reconnect. In a tiny town where everyone is in everyone else's business, it’s no shock that their secret gets out fast. But for me, the most impactful parts weren't the big dramatic ones; it was the quiet scenes between the two boys. In those moments, the rest of the world just disappears, and they get to heal that old teenage bond. They forget about the rules and the past pain, finding a bit of freedom and love away from everyone’s judging eyes. I also really loved the scenes of Marko with his brother—telling him stories, playing, and taking care of his bunnies. The director uses a lot of handheld close-ups in natural settings, which makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on their lives. The village life isn't glamorous at all, but the relationships feel incredibly raw and real.
The acting is honestly stellar across the board, and for a movie that’s only 90 minutes long, there is a lot to love. It’s a very understated but powerful look at identity and social pressure in a tight-knit Croatian town, and it really hit home for me. It’s a simple film that manages to say a whole lot without needing a ton of dialogue.
This is a beautiful and heartbreaking portrait of young love struggling against a wall of tradition and prejudice. It’s an essential piece of queer cinema that feels both incredibly specific and universal all at once. (8/10)
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