This review may contain spoilers
THE FILM THAT SHOULD BE MADE MANDATORY VIEWING FOR ALL
The title is pretty apt because a hungry lion is a predator that sees nothing but food. He sets his eyes on the meat, and will stoop to all means to grab it, even violence, and feel satisfied after eating it. And that's what the FL fell prey to. The hungry lion.The poster is also pretty genius with the way her eyes are blurred, making it appear like institutions are trying to protect the identity of this teenager, when in reality her name and information is made public for all to see. That's why they say actions speak louder than words.
Now on to the movie -
A brutal, thought-provoking, disturbing hard-hitting and painfully real depiction of everything that is wrong with society;
(1) The way people engage in small talk & spread rumours about others without regard, and ruin another's life - regardless of whether she was the woman in the video or not, she didn't deserve to be filmed. People should have been kinder and shown her so much more love instead of spreading the rumours further and isolating her, that too when she constantly denied being the person in the video.
(2) The inhumanity with which society bullies and isolates others - right up to after her death, people talked about her as a slut or a bitch like they've never had sex themselves. Did they think even once about how they would feel if someone did the same to them? She stopped going to school, random men were approaching her outside school; why did people not protect her instead of furthering the narrative that she's easy. ALL JUST TO SUIT THEIR OWN STORY.
(3) The way family and social institutions fail to protect victims and try to make news out of them,
The dean isolated her and asked her to quit school and after her death says bull like please speak to adults because they will protect you. Her sister slut-shamed her instead of giving her a hug, but after her death we don't hear her voice at all. That might be her way of detaching, but that also points to her cowardice. Same for her mum who questioned her daughter if she was the one in the video, but didn't shut the journalists up after her death. Not only that, she brought home a man who pointed out her daughter's low skirt instead of being sensitive to the fact that they're all women in the house. The teachers constantly saw the way she was being bullied but didn't say a single word. They should have asked the kids to shut up, and given them a lecture on being sensitive. The way news outlets continued to publish news on her, making it look like they were looking for the truth, when in reality they were just en-cashing on her death. Nobody truly wanted to know the truth. Nobody wanted to understand what she went through. She went from being a slut, to a hero, to a victim because the narrative changed as it suited the news outlets.
(4) The patriarchal & predatory mindset with which people view women who have sex as 'easy' and think they can just have her without her consent - The audacity to ask her how far she went with Hiroko, and then rape her even when she refused. And then to throw her panties out of the van in a light-hearted manner saying they had fun, while she is standing there, sapped out of energy. The way strangers came looking for her after school thinking they'd have a go to satisfy their kink. Go to a prostitute. Why bother the school girl? Disgusting.
(5) The incorrect messages we send out - men who have sex with tons of women rejoice over "I did her" while the woman in the same situation is slut-shamed. Men are encouraged to have fun, while women are taught to be cautious, and maintain a clean, virginal image.
(6) Suicide - this film presents this issue freaking brilliantly. Her suicide is first met with opinions of 'the bitch / slut killed herself", then she is made into a victim who was kind and wrongly accused, and then she is made into a hero. While the girl who came in support from Fukouka seemed like the only sane and humane person, her act of putting the FL on a pedestal and calling her a hero highlights the problem of society. People are led to believe that killing themselves is the only way out, the only way they would be heard, and given a voice. And after a few weeks, people move on like the incident never happened, just like her family moved out of the house [leaving behind empty walls and rooms] to a new place probably looking for a new start.
Every damn thing about this film (its an endless list) was powerful and triggering. It made me mad and sick to my stomach. I ugly cried. I just don't have the words really because this has left me feeling empty.
And to think, this happens every day in some corner of the world. Films like this make you realize how the world can be a flower bed for some, and thorns for another. We talk about finding sufficiency and self-love in our own self, but is it really possible when no one is on your side, and everyone is only trying to push you over the edge? I honestly doubt that she wanted to kill herself. I think she tripped. But does it matter? Because the way things were going, she would have killed herself eventually. No one, literally no one was on her side. How could people be so inhuman?! But people are, and this film presented just that.
The film's brilliance also lies in the fact that we never get a clear cut answer as to whether she was the girl in the video or not. Because it would be easy to term her a victim if she wasn't. But I love that the film makes it clear that the answer doesn't matter. She is a victim nonetheless. Another bold move is the fact that she is not a virgin or a shy girl. She is outgoing, she does have sexual relationships with men, and she is beautiful. Regardless of that, she did not deserve to be slut-shamed and is a victim.
Even though there are many take-aways from this film, the biggest lesson I have learnt is to ' live and let live'. Focus on your own life and growth rather than spending time spewing hate on another.
On to the technical aspects - the way it was filmed may make it look like a low budget film but that's what made this even more powerful. Every scene and frame looked so real, like you were viewing the world from the character's perspective rather than watching a film. The documentary-like filming style also worked perfectly in creating this disgust you feel towards each and every person in her life. It was too real.
The acting - for a heavy-duty film like this, its interesting that there was hardly a scene of the FL crying or any rage expressed. But you could see the way she slowly withdrew and became lifeless.
The story and script - Freaking A1 from the start to the end. Not a single filler scene. Every scene tells you something, and leaves you thinking.
It's a flawless short film and I highly highly recommend this for all, even though it is not an easy watch and will trigger even the hardest of hearts. I just had to write a review because that is how much I just want everyone to see it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A bittersweet feeling
This movie tells us about many things like loneliness . The acting is good specially the person in his 30s playing a playing the role of a 70 year old person.But the idea of a 70 year old with a high school girl is too much for me.
Also, I felt that some scenes were unnecessary.
Like the one when he was imagining her and thinking about doing something he definitely shouldn't with a 17 year old girl. That was honestly very creepy.
And the romance between her and the assistant also felt somewhat rushed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fall in live doesn't Matter Time. Trust and love eachoter
Long time I watched Heartwarming BL love story.I think plot is realistic. It my opion Toey character is very humble heartwarm person. Toey said some dialogue touch my heart very deeply . Firstly I thought Oat is very selfish person however he understood where the he hapiness. Both LGBTQ person married with someone because they can't show reality in social.But the injustice to the other person is very high. But why does the majority of the society not give the LGBTQ community the right to live freely? Many Asian countries have that problem. They are also normal people. They have the right to live freely. In this story, the society shows the situation as confidential. Oat character is heaheartbreak person he want trust and love .toey give to him love ,trust unconditionally .thats why finally they live happily .some scne has a unrelalistic but Overall this movie is very good .Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A film that contributes to the fight for LGTBIQ+ rights
Over the last 15 years, LGTBIQ+ rights have made a significant leap and we owe a small part of it to cinema and television, increasingly committed to representing more and better gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans people. or non-binary identities. Although this drastic advance (at least, in the audiovisual field) is undoubtedly worth celebrating, it should not make us forget the struggles and sufferings of so many generations that preceded us.After this preamble, let's get into the matter:
If love is complicated between two people, imagine what it must be like when there are three of them. Imagine also when homophobia, internalized homophobia, harassment and forced coming out of the closet are added to the love triangle.
We have all this in equal parts in Rebel Heart, the 2023 Thai short film, youth romantic genre and LGBTIQ+ theme, written and directed by Zee, which also addresses themes such as love, friendship, personal growth, honesty and the trust.
It strikes me that the three main characters have their names in English and not the typical Thai names that seem very curious because they are strange or out of the ordinary to the Western viewer.
The film, from Iamzee Studios, begins when Lucas, the main character, breaks the fourth wall and comes into direct contact with the audience, looking and speaking directly to the camera, to introduce us to the story. From that moment on, the play hooks us and we feel part of an emotional roller coaster, a challenging journey in which we will find connection and meaning with the two young protagonists: Ben, played by Burdy, and Lucas, played by Bug, while They navigate the ups and downs of their relationship. Throughout the 25 minutes of footage, the characters explore different challenges and emotions.
Lucas has secretly loved Ben for three years, but he has not dared to express his feelings, because he considers that his best friend is heterosexual, in addition to fearing breaking the bond between them. They are both university students and have known each other since the first days of entering university. And now, in the last year of their studies, they will end the beginning of an adventure that will determine their destinies.
At first glance it seems like a very common story, but the dynamic between the two friends changes when Emma (Ami) appears, a college student girl who frequently surrounds Ben with attention, causing internal conflicts between the three young people, such as jealousy, pain and drama, especially in Lucas's character, when he discovers that Ben and Emma are in a relationship. Then external conflicts will arise, which I will explain later.
But this will not be a love triangle motivated as a way to escape, give life to a dying relationship, discover something new, take risks and get out of the comfort zone or other reasons that we have seen previously. Here an element rarely used in BL is introduced that will mark the relationship of three people now: internalized homophobia. However, like any love triangle, it will teach us something important.
At one point, we will discover that Emma, motivated by homophobia, has hired a bully, played by Pomp, to harass and beat Lucas, since she has understood his interest in Ben and suspects the closeness of the two young people. Realizing this, Ben breaks up with Emma and blocks her on the internet.
And it is here that the viewer discovers that Ben was the first to fall in love with Lucas and if they have been friends and shared a bedroom and time together it is because he has encouraged it by approaching Lucas from the first moment. I mean, Ben is not straight. Ben is not bisexual. Ben is a gay boy, a victim of internalized homophobia who chooses to hide his homosexuality by getting involved in romantic relationships with girls. In this way, the viewer can explain why Ben distances himself from Lucas and is dating Emma.
Upon discovering that Emma has planned to harm Lucas, Ben finally accepts himself and, in return, admits his love for the boy with whom he has also been in love for more than three years. It is then that, in addition to facing Emma's betrayal between them, they are ready for a life together, but not before seeking parental approval, something very common in heteronormative and patriarchal societies.
And it is here that the external conflict that the couple experiences is incorporated into the film: the rejection of their son's homosexual relationship by Lucas's father. Thanks to the intervention of the mother (Ajarn Jiab), in charge of pointing out the truth, she made the father realize what is important. With a strong message about how we could act in similar situations, out of love for his son, Mr. Evans overcomes his prejudices and ends up accepting the two children, first as lovers and then as his own children.
Likewise, we will learn that the reason for the father's rejection of his son's homosexuality is motivated by his personal experience, having had a suicidal brother who fought against the pain and suffering of also being a gay person, and how this experience could be reflected in the life of his own son and not wanting him to suffer the same fate as his brother.
While the way Ben breaks up with Emma is wrong, the way Emma outing Lucas to her father is disgusting and totally despicable. I can't explain how he came to receive the loving images of the two boys on his phone (this must have been what the father saw, since it is not shown and is not necessary for its full understanding by the viewer) but rather as an act of retaliation against Ben by Emma.
The film, while I was watching it, made me feel that it had an autobiographical nature. Perhaps the director lived a similar story firsthand, or learned about it from third parties, and captured it in images.
Despite the low budget, a cast made up of amateur actors, a weak script and a short plot, poorly developed characters and events, which affects the general quality of the product, it is surprising for having a Thai-American technical and acting team, the integration of an interracial marriage, the use of Thai and English languages, all unusual in BL productions from this Southeast Asian country, and above all for contributing to equality, visibility, acceptance, recognition and, more importantly, the legality of LGBT+ people, in a nation that still does not recognize same-sex marriage. Also, because the short film addresses the topic outside of stereotypes, caricatures or exaggerated dramas. For this alone the short is worth watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
best movie ever.
I like the part where Kwangmin said "Starting tomorrow I'm going to start school" 10/10 script. I think Kwangmin should act again did u guys know that Kwangmin used to go by cats drink coke I think thats awesome sauce. They should let Kwangmin go blonde PLEASE STARSHIP LET HIM GO BLONDE!!!! I think Kwangmin's song Verbenero is an amazing song that everyone should listen to.Was this review helpful to you?
honestly it's not that bad.
it's not a bad movie. I enjoyed it I gave it to seven and a half if I had nothing else to watch I definitely would watch it again because it's a relatively decent movie. going through some of the other reviews here where people really bashed the movie I didn't think it was that bad there's some little things here and there that I can understand the criticisms of but other than that it's fine. I wouldn't want to label this movie one of my favorites and I'm not going to leave it one of the worst it's really a happy medium kind of movie I don't necessarily like it a lot but I don't hate it like I said decent movie.Was this review helpful to you?
"Compared to the cosmos, how tiny we are!"
Two people dancing around a relationship struggle to understand each other’s feelings and even their own as the clock ticks down to the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in Love in a Fallen City. Chow Yun Fat was sizzling as the westernized playboy who takes an interest in Cora Miao’s solemn divorcee.Pai Liu Su is being pressured to attend the funeral of her ex-husband. She’s been living with her family the last 7 years ever since she walked away after the brute had beaten her. In an explosion of words, her family tells her what a burden she’s been and how she never should have gone through with the divorce. All this despite the fact her brother lost her fortune in bad investments. Mrs. Hsu, a family friend, takes Pai and her younger sister to meet a couple of eligible men. Pai and Fan Liu Yuen hit it off before he leaves for Hong Kong. Mrs. Hsu invites Pai to accompany her to Hong Kong and stay as her guest. Pai and Fan grow closer as they spend time together, yet neither is sure of the other’s motives. Pai fears she will be just another notch in Fan’s belt and Fan fears Pai is only using him to get of out of her toxic household. Will the coming invasion drive them further apart or into each other’s arms?
“Life, death, and parting are immense things beyond our control.”
Chow Yun Fat brought the heat as he wooed the introverted Pai. I’d seen him in a number of action movies but here he turned on the charm and romance. It was hard to understand what Fan saw in Pai who appeared sullen most of the time. He seemed to enjoy the fact she was traditional, though untraditional enough to divorce and also to spend time with him.
“Laws can change from day to day, but morals and ethics, kinship and family, these things don’t change”
I’ve seen my share of Shaw Brothers kung fu movies filmed on their studio lots and with familiar exterior shots so it was a pleasant surprise to see the care and creativity allowed in this film. Hong Kong was explored and many scenes were filmed at the Old Repulse Bay Hotel. I was also pleasantly surprised to see so many women involved in the making of this film. Ann Hui was the director, it was produced by Mona Fong, and based on Eileen Chang’s novella. Violet Lam won the Best Original Film Score at the HKFA for her work.
“If everything should burn down, blow up, collapse, perhaps this wall will be left.”
I was confused by the timing of the story. The story took place from 1939-1941 approximately. My knowledge of Chinese history is minimal at best so my concerns may be over nothing. The Japanese occupied Shanghai by 1937 where the story began and there was no mention of their presence there in this film.
“Life’s never over for the poor.”
Despite Pai’s consistently somber attitude and the impending war, the movie never devolved into melodrama. Pai and Fan gradually worked their way through the problems hurled their way. The film clocked in around 90 minutes, short enough for the story to not become too maudlin and long enough to fall in love with Chow Yun Fat’s Fan Liu Yuen.
12 April 2024
Was this review helpful to you?
Dont waste your time
First of all, the main character has been making me very nervous the entire movie, in a bad way, she is very pretty but she is literally the one who does the least of the six, maybe along with Rei, but all the others would have served a thousand times more as the main character, even the boy who at first does nothing then helps a lot along with the athlete that is always sacrificing himself, the boy who is bullied is the smartest with great ideas and the other girl is brave and has things clear, the protagonist always stays still crying.Also there are a lot of plot holes and the ending doesn't make sense. They wasted all the potential of the story, at least it could have been scary.
Dont waste your time.
I give it a 5 for the photography and the acting, thats all.
Was this review helpful to you?
1Finding joy and staying patient while living the mundane life,
as we all learn to find beauty in the tiny moments - a smile from a child, sun coming through the branches of the trees, other people’s happiness.Perfect Days is weirdly relatable in its simplicity. Smiling because of the shadows dancing on the wall is something that happens to me often - little moments that when appreciated, can make your day better. The movie allows you to stop for a minute and take in all the everyday wonders we often miss.
Watching Hirayama enjoy his daily routines and finding things to appreciate when the known pattern is broken made me think that every situation comes with a set of things to welcome with gratitude and things to be patient about. No bad moment lasts forever, no happy moments can exist, if we don’t notice them.
Yakusho Koji’s performance alone could be seen as the 8th wonder of the world. Even with little to no dialogue, he was able to express all the depth and internal complexity. Hirayama truly is a character we could learn from - patient, kind, helpful, giving, perceptive, diligent. Someone who cherishes each and every moment finding time to note the beauty of his surroundings.
Visually speaking I was in awe when watching it in the cinema. The use of light and shadows, well crafted set designs, interesting shots and angles - while I am glad I was able to see it all on the big screen, I also wish I could take screenshot of each and every scene and be able to come back to the pictures representing the beauty of the daily life.
Inspired by the movie, let me name a few things that brought a smile on my face in recent times:
How shadows that added to the beauty of the art I was viewing, creating a unique experience for that specific moment.
A cute drawing kids made with a chalk on the pavement.
The sun making the water flicker as if the waves were carrying little diamonds.
How a dirty window on the bus stop actually made the sunset I saw look even more magical.
How I drew a smile on a mandarin and it smiled at me the whole lecture.
Was this review helpful to you?
Indeed, your name is engraved deep within
why am I crying?Oh, such a sad but bittersweet end.
Would definitely rewatch it in far future (if im alive).
This film was a good memory.
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... BIG SHOUTOUT TO THE ACTORS, DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS & TEAM.
Was this review helpful to you?
Hint - It's only an hour & 20 minutes LOL
Rated= 2~ 9/50 ~ 1.8Robbed and Held Hostage by a Vampire in the Cavern Tunnels.
Do you know those really random and bizarre dreams you have after a late night curry that has you waking up at 3am in a haze wondering what happened? That's what this movie feels like.
It goes off with a bang. No warning. No introduction. No reasoning. Just bam. Demon wife. Random General clearly in love and fought for her hand but she hates him and wants the prince. Cue the shortest quest for a cure I've ever seen ending in an anti climatic big reveal that's not really reveal if you any kind of foresight. And then it just kind of ends.
I guess it's meant to follow one of those folklore style stories that always seems to have a randomly depressing ending but hey, it was Friday night and I wasn't doing anything LOL But hey, it made me laugh so sure. 10/10 LOL
Was this review helpful to you?
cute and happy story
poucas coisas na vida são tão homoeróticas como escola exclusiva e time de esporte e esse filme decidiu juntar o melhor dos dois mundos.o tempo do filme é relativamente curto mas é uma história tão divertida que você não percebe que o tempo tá passando. é muito bom ver um filme que tem seus dramas mas a felicidade dos personagens é o principal foco. você vibra com os personagens e fica tão aliviado que as coisas dão certo. foi uma experiência muito legal! os personagens são uns amores e o romance entre as personagens principais é um abraço quentinho
Was this review helpful to you?
it's about friendship and fellings one deal with.
the goes like starting in school two girls becoming bff and later they discover and faces misunderstanding and this lead him to a part after realization they get together but the fortune has another plan by making haeun die at the age of 27 in her prime age after giving birth to her daughter. the movie is whole a emotional and has happy sad ending along with happy ending at glance it may feel like bullshit but as the story developed it becomes more intense. which make the viewer to bring watery eyes. it's sweet, dark, fun, love, hope, drama, sad, happy, delight, sorrow, thrill,Was this review helpful to you?
Well choreographed fight scenes
In some scenes, I felt like I was watching through the eyes of the charcoal 😁 you have to watch to understand what I mean.If not for the story, stay to watch the fight scenes that were excellently choreographed. The very end scene with the sword pointed at Prince Qi's neck was awesome.
The story is good too. It has a nice ending and it didn't disappoint. Production's hard work is evident in this movie from scene sets, props, lighting, and wardrobes. Everything were done well to help tell a vivid story.
One beautiful scene was the dancer performing beautifully during a siege and not stopping complete with a smile kn her face.
The synopsis made it sound simple and boring but it is far from it.
I recommend for costume and period viewers.
Was this review helpful to you?
Could have been edited better
Pack some patience when watchingMultiple stories of different characters wasn't shown relevance with fluidity.
There's a scene that was repeated.
The transition of scenes weren't smooth.
To surmise, it's a chaotic way of telling the story of demons who take over human bodies and are openly living in society but being hunted by demon hunters/alchemists which do not make sense to me.
A man who was saved by the cat he took care, sold her out. His reasoning was absurd and the story showed him as someone who cares for the cat, even stealing fish for her. So sending her to her death out of the blue didn't make sense.
This could have been a good fantasy movie if it was directed and edited well. Best part of the movie is the fight scene between the demon cat and alchemist.
The set scenes were great and wardrobes used were beautiful. Production did a great job in this aspect. The ending credit song is nice and sweet.
Was this review helpful to you?
