Film and television have told stories in which human beings become animals. In 'The Lobster', 2015, a film by Yorgos Lanthimos ('The Favorite', 'Poor Creatures'), one of the most original voices of the new Greek cinema, brings in this work, which sparked great discussion after winning the Jury in Cannes, David, played by a great Colin Farrell, in his mandatory stay in a hotel full of singles where he has to find a partner with whom he shares something in common within 45 days or he will be transformed into an animal by choice, as happened to his brother who was turned into a dog and is now in his care.
The script of this film, which provoked very mixed reviews, but whose originality was never discussed, was awarded the ARTE International Award for Best CineMart Project 2013 at the 42nd edition of the Rotterdam International Film Festival. The reader will remember that, set in a dystopian near future, the film tells a love story, where the search for a romantic partner is a matter of life or death.
Asian teledramaturgy is not far behind. In 'A Good Day to Be a Dog', a South Korean fantasy rom-com, actress Park Gyu Young ('Celebrity') plays a woman who is cursed to transform into a dog when she kisses a man. A math teacher will come to his aid, the only person who can undo his curse, but who is afraid of dogs due to a traumatic event that he no longer remembers.
But what if the story were reversed? What if, instead of humans becoming wild creatures, the latter were the ones who would transmute their short, small wings, and their clumsy gait on land and their elegance under water, for two feet, useful upper joints, and the ability to walk upright? If instead of people becoming agile and skilled predators, like most felines, these were the ones who would transform their bodies equipped with powerful claws and teeth into individuals with scant fur and a capacity for inventiveness and intelligence, which distinguishes them from the rest of the higher animals?
But why does it seem like I'm talking about penguins and black panthers?
Well, because these animals transform into human beings is Potae Anusara Korsamphan's proposal in 'Caged Again', a romantic and fantastic comedy with an LGBT+ theme with a very original premise and charming character dynamics. Yes, it's true: Disney has previously told us stories about fish and mermaids that become humans, but I'm not aware of any stories about seabirds and big cats transformed into people, much less in non-animated fiction. Although it is also affirmative that we have a giant white teddy bear who, miraculously, turns into a young man.
This absurd comedy, a very stimulating and highly symbolic rarity, follows Junior, a young penguin with the ability to listen to and understand human language, who, transformed into a young boy, flees the zoo in search of achieving his ultimate goal: traveling to the North Pole. However, he will be trapped once again in a mysterious male boarding school. In it, he meets Sun, a quiet and reserved black panther who has also taken human form and after being betrayed by someone he trusted, he no longer seeks to have new friends until he meets Junior. For Sun, the former penguin is the best and only true friend he has ever had in his life. They will both live incredible adventures and maybe…, maybe they will find something more.
In their adventures, Sun and Junior will meet the boyfriends Nat (Arm Sappanyoo Panatkool) and Ton (Apiwat Porsche Apiwatsayree), a couple of BL actors already known to the public for playing Jaonan / "Nan" and Sippakorn in the 2022 drama 'Ai Long Nhai'. Both will welcome the boys under their roof.
Such a plot seems impossible to develop without falling into ridicule, but the debut Thai director shows that, by taking reality to its extremes, as a good comedy does, she manages to illustrate her interest in making her declaration of principles about the possibility that beings Humans and animals can live together in harmony.
As a curiosity, just the day after the premiere of the series, on Saturday, November 16, more than 200 monkeys escaped from a cage at the municipal animal center located in the Thai town of Lop Buri, dozens of kilometers north of Bangkok, to invade the surrounding streets, climb onto the roofs, enter a police station and some homes. The only thing missing, to match this fact with the plot, was that the macaques, before escaping, had had the capacity to transform into humans.
In the main roles of the series that tells an unconventional love story, which mixes elements of magic, fantasy, adventure and teenage romance, are actors Ben Benjamin Greenwell, in his acting debut, as Sun, and Jay Sorathon Chaloemlapsombutis ('I Will Knock You'), like Junior, who manage with their performance to put the audience in intense reflection about freedom, love and the beauty of life. Both actors share a natural and electrifying chemistry that brings a tender and refreshing vibe to the series.
After watching the first five episodes of the 10 that the series has, we can make some preliminary assessments: not only will we find these two animals converted into humans. We will have a monkey transformed into a student named Jodd (Jaonine Jiraphat Sodjam) who will walk not from branch to branch, but from adventure to adventure, helping his friends, especially June, who is being chased by members of an illegal trafficking gang of wildlife, and a learned owl who is very intelligent, but needs to gain discipline, who will also support the rest of his schoolmates and whose name is Jeng (Nokia Chinnawat Phattharathanachot).
Sun and Junior will have an ally in the centuries-old goddess (Panpan Yeeyee) who can only be seen by those who are not human, and who will also enter human bodies to help the animals turned into people.
The fact of not having a high budget is one of the reasons to highlight the music, the beautiful cinematography, the production design and the impressive special effects, which give authenticity to the elements of fantasy and magic.
On the other hand, the costume design and set design allow us to enhance the fascinating world created to put the characters in it.
Cleverly, the series plays with the idea of ​​the predator that is always trying to catch its prey, and a prey that instead of fearing feels safe around the predator. But also with other concepts, such as the panther as a symbol of bravery and the energy of the night, as an allegory of courage, valor and power.
A panther has transformed into a young man. And there we see Sun showing the wild, stealthy and solitary nature of one of these mammals climbed in the trees, from which it also stalks its prey.
The scriptwriters did not miss anything: Thamuya Thasananukulkij, Krongkanok Ruetaimas and Supoj Norrabud always kept in mind the panthers' love of swimming.
We can see that it is a very fierce and aggressive spirit animal towards enemies in its constant confrontation with Nam. It seems that for Sun, the character played by Jeng Chotipat Suthadsanasoung, a young actor whom we have seen in the BL series 'The Trainee ' and 'Fish Upon the Sky', is a spotted hyena with whom he will compete for food, shelter and to protect Junior.
In the same way, as an animal of power we distinguish Sun as a being that helps us not fear the darkness, but rather see it as an ally from whom we can learn great powers and lessons.
Junior's character is just amazing. And the choice of the actor to play him helps greatly in this. Like all penguins, they can swim at high speeds. Friendly, faithful and inclusive, Junior accepts the friendship of those who approach him.
Intelligent, with excellent orientation skills, he can join any academic club he puts his mind to.
In my opinion, the creators chose the penguin and the panther out of all the animals to make them the protagonist of a BL because this feline, as an animal totem, is a symbol of protection and power; for being respected as true martial artists of the animal world.
The panther is synonymous with superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, agility, endurance, durability, healing and senses. There is a belief that whoever has the panther as their totem will have the blessing of a fierce and aggressive totem. Likewise, because it is associated with the sun, and solar vitality in some cultures; for its ability to stealthily follow its prey for hours until the perfect moment to strike; for its ability to guide people through challenges and provide strength in difficult times. The stealthy and solitary nature of the black panther is considered a representation of inner strength and the ability to navigate life's obstacles with grace and resilience.
And these qualities will have to be demonstrated by Sun around Junior throughout the series.
While the penguin is the favorite because these seabirds have a love story that has made everyone who knows them fall in love, never better said. The way he courts the penguin and the commitment he shows has made him a symbol of fidelity and love in nature.
'Caged Again' shows that when it comes to love, communication and fidelity, penguins are excellent teachers, and can teach human beings how to live as a couple. They are a symbol of deep love and loyalty. They signify a lasting commitment and a lasting union between two people. They have only one partner for life, so they are known for their loyalty and fidelity in love.
Penguins can communicate and express love through their unique and distinctive vocalizations. These vocalizations are so special that they are often called "the song of the heart" as they represent the love and togetherness of these couples.
It may be very strange for some people, especially because of its very concept, but if you can get past that there is a series with very interesting humor and romance, and a story that will provoke mixed thoughts in the public.