BLISS RATING: ★★★★
“True love is not just felt, it is lived and breathed every day.” – Goodreads
This is a novella I discovered by happenstance and I am glad I did. I applaud the effort that went into this bromance. Give the political suppression in Myanmar and their stance against homosexuality and the Draconian crackdown on anything that smacks of BL, I was somewhat surprised to still find this available. I would encourage others to watch it as who knows how long it will be available.
The story is a familiar one. It is the proverbial ‘enemy to friends’ trope but enchantingly done, deceptively. Thukha (Zaw Shine Htet), a high school student, comes into a classroom and begins to casually sing. His singing is rather good. However, it is interrupted abruptly by a strange young man who is trying to sleep in the room. Nay Thit (Myint Myat Hein) is thought of as a ‘bad seed’ as his penchant proceeds him. He is always defending himself because his reputation follows him around. He has been implicated in the death of a young lady that he had spurned. However, when Nay Thit helps Thukha from being bullied by others, the two of them begin to break down the walls between them. It becomes obvious that that is a sexual tension between the two.
Truthfully, this story is hardly new and frankly nothing is original in its premise except for their odyssey. How Nay Thit slipped into his predicament can, frankly, happen to anyone. Take heed of how easy it was to be drawn into a situation that led to dire consequences. On the other hand, Thukha is presented somewhat cryptically. He is not physically well, but the extent of his medical condition is never revealed. Thus, he seems sheltered. All we know is that during their brief time together, Nay Thit helps him fulfill some of his ‘wish list’ experiences that he has been unable to enjoy. So, the core is, one has two unprocessed individuals whose fates are yet to be determined.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? While there are supporting characters in this very short series, it is hard to take your eyes off the two main protagonists. Myint Myat Hein as Nay Thit and Zaw Shine Htet as Thukha have very good screen chemistry together and develop a solid connection with one another. Even though their burgeoning relationship is only on a tangential level, we can still discern they are connecting to one another intrinsically and deeply emotionally, even for the short period of time that they are together. Despite the fact they are only in high school, it is not just a ‘puppy love’ we are witnessing but something preeminent on an immanent level. Always gentle and soft with one another, a recognition of devotion to one another is evident. Even Thukha’s best friends have learned to accept him and respect the growing relationship between them. Zaw Shine Htet and Myint Myat Hein instigated a more encompassing level of dimension to their characters as the story begins to turn serious. Indeed, they are forced to become more intuitive of the world around them.
The production of this series is surprisingly effective. Filmed with an intent to create an atmosphere which enhances more focus of the scene, the cinematography was well done. For example, when Thukha sings, the creation of a smokey almost translucent environment is quite effective. The scenes in the coffee shop had a feel as if they were living within an animated, almost cartoon-like environment. I loved the juxtaposition. The supporting cast were individuals that were all relatable and felt ordinary and simply part of the community. Such a welcome change from usually presenting supporting casts as polished individuals. These people were earthy and ordinary.
There is no expectation that this series is going to end the way it did. And I was surprised that it did. Sometimes reality takes a dire turn and life ends in sadness. That is what gives this series such authenticity and honesty. It is literalism; perhaps not the way we would want it, but simply the way it is.
This is a down-to-earth, slice of life story of two high school boys that, yes, did fall in love, but never ever got a chance to, one, even say that to each other, and two, ever have a chance to enjoy the pleasures of intimacy.
While having a standard storyline, it gave us a look at felicity. Fleetingly, however. Then it was gone. Leaving a lifetime of sadness.
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