This review may contain spoilers
The fear and insecurity that homosexuals suffer in an intolerant and homophobic country
The third short film by Kim-Jho Gwang-Soo (김조광수) takes up Min Soo, the character created by him and first introduced in 'Boy Meets Boy', in 2008, and later in 'Just Friend?', the following year, for tell us about the most recurrent film themes and objectives of this renowned South Korean film director and screenwriter: sexual awakening, coming of age, sexuality, gender identity, being queer in a heteronormative and homophobic society.But in this film, the filmmaker introduces other topics, such as sexual desire, bullying, the problems of homosexuals facing a homophobic society, the fear of homophobia. The final scene is quite devastating with the Irish song Danny Boy.
Peter Kim, nickname by which this filmmaker is also known, seeks to illustrate in 'Love 100° C' (사랑은 100℃ / Sarangeun 100℃), the desires and dangers that homosexuals face in South Korean society through a hearing-impaired gay teenager named Min Soo. From the first scene we are introduced to the teenager, while he masturbates with photographs of his classmate Ji Seok, a supposedly heterosexual, homophobic person, of course, whom he secretly loves.
Despite his deafness, Min Soo is a self-aware young man. He suffers from bullying from his classmates not because he is gay but because of his hearing problem, since the other high school students confuse the condition with an impairment in his brain. For the same reason, his brother, a year younger, also bothers him. Min Soo needs a hearing aid, but he can read people's lips if they talk to him correctly.
It is probably not difficult to imagine that he would also suffer homophobic attacks if his sexual orientation were discovered.
Min Soo's life changes when one day a young and attractive masseuse from a bathhouse he frequently visits begins to flirt with our protagonist. For the first time in his short existence, Min Soo receives kind and respectful treatment from a person who is not his mother, the only one who thinks he does not have a mental deficiency.
The handsome bathhouse worker treats him as an equal and offers him a free massage. Next comes a beautiful scene between the two boys communicating through whistles and applause to the beat of the background music of the short film itself.
The shot of Min Soo swinging his legs between the masseuse's crotch, one sitting on the bed where he will receive the massage and the other standing before him, is moving.
Kim Jho films the next sequence, that of the massage or rubbing, slowly moving the camera and stopping it on her soft skin, like that of any child. There is nothing obscene or disturbing in the scene and there is a lot of poetry and art. Finally, in the sauna, the masseuse performs oral sex on Min Soo, who writhes in a state of sweaty enjoyment and ecstasy.
Afterwards he is jubilant at home. His mother notices that something has changed in her son's life, as he is now happy and communicative. The experience with the man has given him a new confidence, a unique power. The steam room becomes his refuge, a place where he can experience sexual pleasure with someone who respects him despite his youth and disability. He is a free young man.
Feeling confident and valued, he is able not only to confront his annoying brother, but also to tear up the photo of Ji Seok, the boy he was in love with, thus, in the past, the boy he was in love with, when he bullies him again.
But his life is turned upside down again when one day he enters the bathhouse looking not so much for the warm waters and steam at 100 degrees Celsius, but for love at that same temperature, just when the masseuse suffers a homophobic beating. No one present dares to intervene while the young man is attacked by another while receiving kicks, expletives and homophobic phrases. Min Soo can only react by running away and hiding in a nearby alley, where he cries inconsolably.
Back in the bathhouse, but this time alone, Min Soo comes to understand, as well as transmit, the message that the film carries: the fear and insecurity that homosexuals suffer in an intolerant and homophobic country like Korea South.
Although Kim Jho's work has mainly bordered on the territory of Boy's Love, which is why he is able to attract a female audience, with this film, released in September 2011, the film producer and LGBT+ rights activist also pursues conquer gay men with a story perfect for these people, especially when contextualized.
This endeavor will not be difficult for him to achieve, thanks to the adorable Do Jin Kim, the first hearing-impaired film actor in South Korea. This young man, 20 years old at the time of filming, conquers us from the beginning with his silly, sweet and effeminate smile. Although the director manages to establish the conflicts in each scene with the good script and excellent work behind the cameras, the actor carries the film on his thin shoulders, showing us what drives Min Soo's decision-making process.
We will find the character created by Kim-Jho Gwang-Soo in his next film. In 'Two Weddings and a Funeral' Min Soo also does not react to a homophobic attack against one of his friends. The difference is that Min Soo from 'Love, 100°C' is not an adult over 20 years old, but a teenager already separated from the world due to his hearing disability, but both, each in their respective films, fear facing a intolerant and violent society.
In his two previous short films, the filmmaker explores the terrain from fairy tales and fantastical dreams, but 'Love, 100°C' demonstrates that it is honest realism that best adapts to the world vision of its director and screenwriter.
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Friends or more?
A very badly produced and acted short film I saw a very bad copy of on gcinee (don't go to youtube: the sound is off and completely covered by piano music).The story started like a cliché friends to lovers until the final twist which makes you wonder what really happened. The film is about two best friends: one has had a crush on the other one forever. The other guy is not aware but is very touchy-feely with his friend. Neither dares say anything. One day the second guy's friend, a girl, asks him to help her date the first guy. He introduces them and the first guy, hopelessly, accepts to date her. The second guy just looks at them with yearning and regret. At the end of the year, while they part, the first guy gives the second one a hug which is all but an innocent, friendly hug. And then he leaves. One year later the first guy wakes up in hospital. Was everything just a dream? Wishful thinking? open to interpretation! (Due to poor quality video!)
Another film about friends wanting to be more but not daring to confess to each other. It ultimately boils down to the question: shall I risk losing a friend for a tiny chance of getting a lover? This is always a difficult question, more so in same-sex relationships where the weight of society norms bear down heavily on young people.
The story is interesting but the production is bad. It is an older chinese short film so it must have been difficult to make it. The acting is basic, the editing all over the place, the cinematography non existent.
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I love me some old low budget gay movie
It's exactly how I imagined it (expect I didn't expect THAT dramatic plot-twist), it just feels like a low budget early 2000s LBGT movie and I love it. It's not a BL or even a GL, so don't expect that. It's more of a "slice of life of gay people" (although a dramatic one).Even though I enjoyed it, there were some plot holes and things that are never really explained (everything happened so quickly) and the ending was a little weird but wholesome at the same time. Still, It was hilarious, but it showed the sad reality of being gay in Korea too. Yes, most of the gay men were stereotypical, but I didn't mind as much, because there weren't shown in a bad light and we didn't laugh at them but at their jokes. Or at the hilarious situations. Anyways, I was hoping that that we would see more of the lesbian couple.
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It's so freaking sad
The plot is really good. It's so freaking good and sad. At first it was full of happiness and was really cute but the end was very heartbreaking. I recommend it very much and would definitely watch this like a thousand more times.Was this review helpful to you?
April Recommendation Challenge
Watch this for my April Recommendation Challenge by Natalie Rodriguez. Quite interesting story, talk about the hanging what if...Nora or Na Young & Jung Hae Sung (HS) were childhood friends that have puppy love with each other. They separated cause Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. HS try to reconnect with Nora through Nora's dad FB & successful, their reconnect 12 years after Nora's family emigrates. But life happen, and they separated again & continue with their own life. Nora met her husband, Arthur, & got married, while HS also got girlfriend.
Life go by, 12 years later, HS decided to reconnect again with Nora. HS visit Nora in America, he bring all the nostalgic feeling for Nora & leave her with all the what if questions. What if Nora not go to Canada, will they start their relationship, will their relationship continue with more serious one or will it fail...? And so on... So how will they continue the relationship? Will Nora finally choose HS over her husband?
One thing that really good about this movie is... How mature everyone is, especially Arthur. Arthur see how vulnerable Nora when she met HS, but still can put smile & calm in his face when he met HS. And the fact that Arthur still told Nora the truth about how he actually don't like that Nora met HS, but still appreciate & trust her in the end.
Overall this one good movie to reflect our own life & relationship with anyone around us.
Below is SPOILER ALERT!!! Read it with ur own risk.
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SPOILER ALERT!!!
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This end with sad ending for HS & Nora. They separated for good, no one sacrifice their own life for each other.
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This review may contain spoilers
Better late than never!
I would like to be able to express in words the feelings and ideas this film evoked in me. Unfortunately, I am not skilled at all to do justice to this amazing film.It is a story of a man who always regretted the wrong choice he made when he was young. He had a best friend, who was actually his first love and when that friend was going through difficult times, he could not muster up the courage to show him his support. Since he believed in parallel universes, we are shown three of those: what happened after that act of cowardice? His life followed three different roads but, surprisingly, all those road led him to the same place 25 years later: the hospital and his friend's novel. And the realization that his friend WAS his universe.
The film is inspired by three books: On The High Wire, by Philippe Petit (taking risks, balancing , trying to feel alive), Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (searching for your own sexuality, homophobia, love for another man) and So Long, See you Tomorrow by William Maxwell (friendship, betrayal, regret).
The actors are all extraordinary, particularly the main lead Shim Hee Sub all in subtlety, microexpression, holding back, hiding and vulnerability. An amazing actor! He is the focal point of this film. His young counterpart is almost as good, much more emotional, as befits a teen!
The writing is solid. The film is slow burn and sometimes the sequences are not evident: they do talk about parallel universes but from there to conclude they are showing us those, the road is a bit long and tortuous. Moreover, the titles of the parallel universes are not translated (so when the 2nd one showed up, I helped myself to Google Lens and then rewatched the film from the beginning)! Nevertheless, these two and a half hours went by in a flash (no FFW!). The film is beautifully shot, all in dark and brown tones, suitable for a story of regrets and depression.
This film takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, makes you think about your own life and the regrets you carry. It gives you courage and strength to try to fight for what is important. And last, but not least, gives some great reading recommendations!
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Mixed feelings
This is one of my rare time I've decided to try writing my impressions on a movie in which I feel like I understand it but at the same time, I don't.I wanted to watch it a while ago and I've taken some time because of diverse reasons and finally, I've watched it by curiosity. I didn't know if it was too vulgar or too violent but I finally gave it a try.
This movie is like an independant, underground (I don't know how to describe it) movie which is not for everyone's cup of tea. Despite a beautiful cinematography, the relationships were natural, acting is nice and some interesting and serious matters to discuss with... The pacing felt a bit too slow for me so it didn't really hooked me or made me want to be invested in the story.
However, it sure left me with some mixed feelings. It's not that I don't like it but I feel bit left out?? Did I regret watching this? Not really.
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A Reflection of Queer Relationships
I could not sleep early on a Saturday morning, and this movie’s review came up on YouTube feed out of nowhere. So, on a whim, I decided to watch it. Before you know it, I had finished it and had become so engrossed in its plot and story, I found myself caring about these characters with a certain sense of affection. I found myself teary eyed and gently weeping for them. It is an intensely gut-wrenching film that is deeper than it is given credit for.I was shocked and dismayed at how poor the reviews were for this movie. I do not understand. I loved it. To be sure, it does not move mountains, but it is not meant to do so. It is a story about two misfit loners who happen to find each other at exactly the right moment in their lives in exactly the right space that connected them to a feeling of fruition. They found each other’s treasured one.
Read the complete article here-
https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/04/19/does-the-flower-bloom-movie-review/
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"Big stories, like life, get out of control"
Gone with the Bullets was loosely inspired by the real-life events that led to China’s first film. I say loosely because very little in this film was realistic from the opium induced car ride in the sky to the cartoon reenactments of a supposed crime scene. A kaleidoscope of primary colors doused the screen in a variety of manners. The realistic elements were the dangers of the court of public opinion and how films could be utilized for propaganda.Ma Zouri is a fixer and a con artist extraordinaire. When the 7th son of the local warlord comes to him for help, Ma smells an easy mark. He and his partner, Xiang Feitian, decide to use Wu Qi’s money to hold the largest courtesan contest in the world, open to all ladies of the evening. The pageant is shared over the radio and filmed by the warlord’s 6th child, Wu Liu. The beautiful Yin Wanyan, and Ma’s lover, wins after promising 30 men she will entertain them and let them discover her “virginity.” The newly crowned President asks Ma to marry her which he refuses. They go on an opium induced car ride after making up. The next morning Ma wakes to find the car turned over and Wanyan dead. He runs to Wu Liu for help as he’s wanted for murder. During his two years on the run, he discovers there is a lurid play based on Wanyan’s death with audience participation.
"When the fake becomes real the real often becomes fake"
The film opened to music from 2001: A Space Odyssey, quotes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and an homage to the Godfather. It didn’t stop there. Numerous movies, events and songs were used regardless of time and circumstance. One contestant sang Summertime by Gershwin which wouldn’t be written for another decade when it was used in Porgy and Bess. The ode to motherhood also looked suspiciously like something out of 42nd Street. Reality and memory blended at times making it hard to tell what was real.
"We have to go fast to be nowhere"
Director Jiang Wen also starred as Ma Zouri with the capable Ge You as the duplicitous Xiang. An ethereal Shu Qi brought Wanyan to life and Jiang’s wife, Zhou Yun, was marvelous as Wu-6th aka Wu Liu. No expense was spared on the opulent sets and luxurious costumes. The talent portion of the contest was filmed on a huge stage with numerous scantily clad dancers in well choreographed dance numbers. I was surprised to see so much skin and gratuitous crotch shots in a Chinese film. Even more surprised in a fan dance number filmed from above where the dancers’ fans provocatively looked like vaginas. There were also poop jokes, self pleasuring, and a prisoner threatened with being “hammered” by a horse.
“The audience is always right.”
The story wasn’t always cohesive in this allegory or spoof of the movie industry and lawless land governed by corrupt foreign entities and warlords. “Love is nice but violence makes money!” Theater reenactments of the crime honed in on the violence the audience wanted to watch. After seeing the performances their minds were made up to Ma’s guilt. No trial, no witnesses, no evidence, only the court of public opinion for what would be the final show to be filmed by Wu Liu. And those in power saw no reason to not give the people what they wanted if it benefited them. Reality is easily manipulated on film in Jiang’s wink to propaganda. Gone with the Wind, I mean Bullets, was a strange but entertaining film that focused on one man’s downfall precipitated by his own hubris and also, “no good deed goes unpunished.”
18 April 2024
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♡ Perfect Days ♡
This is a lovely movie where the main actor is Yakusho Koji ♡ He works in a toilet company in Shibuya, everyday he wakes up early and goes to work then around lunchtime he always has lunch at the park at his favourite spot where there is a lot of nature and trees. He carries with him a disposable camera and takes pictures of the trees. He lives a simple life he likes cameras, films and books. Every evening after work he goes to his favourite Izakaya, and then before bed he always reads his favourite book. On the weekends he goes to the laundry and then to the bookshop to buy more books. I really really loved this movie especially Hirayama's acting, he is so handsome and in the movie he is so simple, he doesn't talk much but he gives to the world the best impression of surrealism. ' Now is now' ♡Was this review helpful to you?
Life is a Journey.
This movie definitely demonstrates the reality of life.Mixed emotions. A rollercoaster of life.
Definitely a must to watch!
Simple yet inspirational.
I totally understand her decision of not getting treatment as she wants to enjoy her life for the last time before she rest.
She overcame her cancer, but she feels like it is time to finally accept her faith. Which is why she decided to make a bucket list of things she wants to do before she dies.
I would prob do the same thing. Spent what was left with my loved ones and did the things I've always wanted to do.
The twist was crazy. I was bawling.
Anyways, I wrote a quote about what they said about 'Journey'.
"It's not the destination. It's the journey. Life experiences don't mean anything if you don't end up where you want to. We all have goals. Were not just cruising through life. It's all about the destination.
For me, it's the journey. Because that's how you mature. That's where you learn. Sometimes, you even end up differently, depending on the journey. I believe it's the journey that allows you to mature."
2:11am 4/18/24..
I was also bawling my ass out because it been a year since moonbin died..????
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It's OK, nothing noteworthy.
It's a good movie to watch when you're bored or just want to play something in the background. There's not really a good slowburn aspect, but that is to be expected of a movie. Story was meh, but it did have a somewhat creative plotline with the Matryoshka doll and it's significance. In my opinion, the main character Hirofumi is FAR too awkward. There's a line between being awkward but the acting is bearable and then there's being awkward and the acting being awkward too. Although I will say that I liked the love interest, Shinji. His acting was actually not that bad and felt genuine. On the other hand, these two as a couple did not feel genuine or authentic and the final kiss scene was honestly repulsive because of how unnatural it felt. Dude was kissing with his eyes wide open and they even added an intimate scene that looked even worse because they were just flailing around and mouth breathing on one another. The movie is old so I can't be too harsh on it but it definitely has it's shortcomings. I'd watch only if you just need something to watch. It wasn't horrendous, just awkward.Was this review helpful to you?
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the film had a statement to make!
what i liked+ the story of this film shines light on the corruption that goes on with the authoritative figures of society
+ the actors were convincing in their roles. the cast nailed their characters
+ the setting of the film was giving modern coming-of-age. in scenes like at their gigs and the car ride leading up to the events but then it builds up and becomes intense yet still maintaining a somewhat cool tone. the film gives a glimpse of what could have gone wrong without becoming extremely disturbing if they did not have their said privileges (police brutality is way worse irl)
what i didn't like
- cussing was overused in my opinion and at times, it felt quite cringe because was it necessary to add "f*ck/ing" at certain dialogues? i get that they're supposed to be edgy and relatable to the youth today but the script writing could have been better in that aspect BUT i must say and slight spoiler coming ahead...
i'm paraphrasing here but it hit when jk said "kung hindi sa pangalan nya, makakalaya ba kami dito?" #shook
that was something that stuck with me at the end.
overall,
i recommend blue room. however, it is heavy and should not be watched around children.
blue room definitely had me pondering upon issues that our society faces when one becomes drunk with power.
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watched this film tonight and this is what i think!
what i liked+good acting. the main characters, jane + rk.. they brought marge & mike to life. i must say though i feel like everyone portrayed their characters really well. side note: i just found out on this website that jane was one of the screenwriters, no wonder she nailed it as marge! :)
+ i also enjoyed the visuals of the film! the scenes at the beach and the place they met was something they went back to. given that this film was made in 2020 (or atleast released idk), the use of their locations was well done
+ music was nice. very mellow and suitable for the mood the film is setting us up for
+ tbh the plot twist was quite unexpected. i think it was unique for an overused trope that i've seen in newer filipino drama/romance films. i don't wanna spoil anything so i guess you'll know what i mean when you've watched it. so i do appreciate the plot twist :)
what i didn't like
- well, the story of the film mostly. the premise was intriguing. a struggling artist and med student meeting again after they've shared a connection at the church. it would have been nice to see how their relationship unfolded in a different way. but i guess these things do happen (for the most part) and i can appreciate that ana's character was solid until the end.
overall,
i enjoyed "us again" and i do recommend this to watch if you're thinking about it or need recreational sobbing :)
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