Shorts Variety Reviews
This section will be a collection of reviews of short BL films, and/ or documentaries, music videos, featuring LGBTQ+ people or themes. Simply click onto the image to get to its video. Hope you enjoy these cinema snippets.
Toothbrush
A closeted man on the brink of getting married realizes his time is up – 2025 – England
A powerful short journey of a man torn with anxiety over his non-acceptance that he cannot bring himself to acknowledge his true nature. Liam (Jack Armstrong) has a night out with the boys only to find himself knocking on the door of his former ex-boyfriend, Will (Alexander Mushore). More stares than words are exchanged but what words that are, makes the point. Neither can get the other out of their heads. Both are living rent free in there. Despite what seems like the end, may not be.
We do see them waking up embracing in the same bed together. Yet, we do know what is in store for them. It is up to the viewer to fill in the blanks.
This is a meaningful and well-acted short film that says more than most full films can do. The two actors have such great screen chemistry. I felt that they actually were a couple.
Note the title of this beautiful film and ask yourself: who keeps the toothbrush of your ex-boyfriend? If you did not know he was going to return or did not want him to secretly return? Just wondering..
Rerun
An open-ended story with no real beginning and no real ending, just emotions – 2023 – Thailand
This is an astonishing and brilliant short film that has no real plot and is as open-ended and nebulous as enigmas get. We see a relationship between Kit (PP Krit) and Chou (Nine Naphat) starting out between artist and curator and evolving into lovers. Yet, something wedges between them that is part of who Chou is. The story is vague, undisciplined and will no doubt leave you wanting more but you will not get more. It is watching theater-in-the-round in all its brilliance. It is acting for the sake of pure emotions and is done with utter commitment and intensity. Everything seems ‘okay’ yet we know it is ‘not okay’. That word becomes so powerful and meaningful throughout this short sonnet.
This is one of the best short films I have ever seen. Its mastery is in its mystery.
Delivery Boy
A story of connection, friendship, and futility of a dead-end job – 2019 – Hong Kong
While completed several years ago, this holds up rather well. It is a timeless and endless story. Although the story takes place in Hong Kong, its supposition is universally true everywhere. In jobs we hate, unnoticed by ones we have an unrequited attraction to, and a general feeling that the universe is against us. But suddenly a small window of opportunity opens up, and we must decide whether to jump through that window or not. Occasionally, that window might not be fully open and we could be shattered by broken glass as we try to smash right through. While at other times, we could open it carefully wider and let a lot more of the fresh air in. This is that kind of story.
It might also help that you have a devoted friend by your side. Oh, how we all wish we had a friend who would advocate and fight for you. A rare commodity. However, that is not to say that there is not just a little something that could help ‘persuade’ a softening and assistance.
Simply enjoy a feel-good short film and maybe watch it over-and-over again to strengthen your spirit or resolve. It will make you smile every time.
Three of Us
Three roommates share a cramped apartment until one-night unspoken feeling erupt- 2026 – Philippines
A uniquely filmed short film. It is completely unscripted with no prepared lines or dialogue. The performances are solely relying on eye contact, body language, and the natural chemistry between the actors. And it is beautiful and stunningly done with spontaneity and naturalness. See how a threesome can naturally form without encouragement and simply on the moment of three young men in the throws of complete lust and desire.
See how a simple kiss can perhaps create future tensions between them, even jealousy, maybe uncontrollable desire and lust, and even destroy an existing strong bond that they had between them. That is the real power of sex.
Lip Crush 2
Now that they are more than friends what exactly do they label their relationship- 2026 – United States
Now that Tyler (Kiahnoa Saucedo) and Oliver (Caleb Lowell) have elevated their friendship and are certainly more than mere close friends, what are they? Oliver wants to freeze time, so nothing has to change while Tyler wants a resolution as to what they are now that they have gone beyond best friends. With Tyler’s mother’s wedding imminent, she wants them to dance together.
Since Oliver does not know how to, Tyler teaches him how and as their movement becomes intimate and they stare into each other’s eyes, Stage 2 begins. They know it. They are no longer just friends. Oliver whispers, “We are boyfriends” while Tyler quietly says, “Time froze.” In that moment, they became one.
This is such a stunning moving advancement of a story that was only partially told in the first episode. Now we have an intimacy that they cannot back away from.
Enjoy this follow-up!
I Bleed Ashes
An ordinary story of two teenage boys deeply in love trying to face a daunting reality – 2026 – India
A student short film that is symbolically significant, perhaps without realizing it. It represents a transition of changing times and thinking from old ways to paths that are changing. The opening scene, we see a boyish-looking Raghu (Adhir Saxena) waiting for his equally young-looking but more serious boyfriend named Shaan (Hermanshu Tariang). He struggles with trying to conceal his true self while Raghu is so much more open about it. Every time they meet, Raghu brings him sunflower as a gesture of his commitment to Shaan. Raghu smokes and Shaan dislikes it because it is bad for his health and cannot bear the thought of him dying before him. He is willing to give up cigarettes if Shaan opens up to his father. However, Shaan would rather stay locked in the closet than regret telling him for the rest of his life. Raghu knows Shann will tell his father in his own good time.
I shall not spoil it for you as I want you to experience the joy and their journey together. This film is so beautifully made and so well thought out that no details to the conclusion were left unresolved. You will understand that at the end.
For me, this is a transitional film. It represents letting go of the old guard for a new way of seeing the world and experiencing love. I think Raghu and Shaan will have a happy and joyous relationship. Sunflowers represent optimism, loyalty, strength, and long life. Could not be truer than for this young budding couple.
Inspiring work and so hopeful.
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Lip Crush
Two very close friends finally in a most creative way seal their fate with one another- 2026 – United States
I have seen my fair share of films about friends to lovers, but this is by far one of the more creative ones I have witnessed. Not only is it cute, but it is also most original and unique. Two very close friends are inseparable, and they literally do everything together. Tyler (Kiahnoa Saucedo) is trying to launch a YouTube channel and so he asks his best friend Oliver (Caleb Lowell) to help him. Initially uncomfortable, but he agrees. They are going to participate in an olfactory challenge by guessing mystery colognes and lip balms each are wearing. However, as they do so, memories and feelings surface. Once before, they kissed when both were drunk and neither could forget that.
With the camera rolling, the passion and emotions and finally the feelings surfaced to the point as they got closer to smelling the lip balm, the desire became too much. They kissed and could not stop.
This is just fun and a joy ride to experience. It is so domestically done that I could actually see this taking place. While seemingly innocent, I wonder if it was not Tyler’s plan to finally push to the forefront what both know is happening to them.njoy this journey with Josh and Dexter.
Now It’s Different
A rediscovery of hope for a writer feeling lost from himself – 2026 – United States
This is a story about Josh (Reid Schmeidt) who finds himself lost ironically from himself. Living in the dream city of Los Angeles, he begins to realize that he is far from the individual he used to be. Having met someone now for over a year as a hook-up for fun, realizes that he does not even know his name or who he is. So, he begins to write a letter introducing himself to the one he wants to know. But does this person want to know him? Watching this is a creative or perhaps even symbolically rediscovering himself. Maybe even allegorical. In any case, it is brilliantly done.
This is particularly poignant for me as I live in the Los Angeles area and can understand where Josh’s head is and how he got to be where he was. As much as there is beauty in this city, there is also pain and sadness and a willingness to shut out the natural beauty. We think almost to the last minute that there will not be a happy ending here.
But Dexter (Maurizio Bandi) was so moved by his note to him and was taken in by his instructional path to find him – if he wanted to take it with him. And he did. There indeed is love, even in a big city like Los Angeles. Sometimes you must make it happen on your own terms.
This is a unique short film that encapsulates life in a megalopolis with an apt description of personal isolation. Yet a wherewithal to rediscovering who you are that permits you to travel down a path to romance on your own terms.
Enjoy this journey with Josh and Dexter.
The Night Before Blossom
A couple spending time together before the New Year – 2026 – Vietnam
A simple basic story of a couple, struggling perhaps financially. Trong (Bui Trung Thai) is a small business owner who is trying not to bring his issues home with him to his long-term boyfriend, Hoang (Harry Duy). It is the New Year, and they have just received a significant package of food from Hoang’s parents, who are loving and receptive to both.
Trong’s family is not quite so agreeable. Yet he does receive a call from his father and for whatever reason is now inviting Trong to bring Hoang over for dinner someday, which he has never done before. Hoang encourages Trong to make peace with his father and to see that the father indeed is trying to make amends and accept their relationship.
In the end, there is a cute gesture by Hoang that ironically ties into what has just happened to Trong and his father. Perhaps overly sentimental for sure but ties so beautifully into the theme of this little gem and to the whole of the character of Vietnamese BLs. They always get to the heart of the issue and tug at the heartstrings while doing so. Yet, it is always so deeply personal, character driven, and so understandable and connectable to us. No matter your culture or country.
Reschedule
Two men in love but the pressures of non-conformity are too much for one – 2021 – Japan
A stunning film about the concept of conformity. Two men who were obviously in a relationship and apparently in one for a long time. Suddenly one decides that he wants to get married and have children for the sake of his grandmother.
With the exceptional correctness that exists in the Japanese culture, and almost reverence for decorum and duty, he asks his former lover to take pictures of him and his fiancée, since he is a photographer. The expectation further is that he will do it for ‘free’ which of course he agrees to do.
This is their story and its underlying pain which is so deep and intense. Yasuke puts up a brave front as his former lover tells him that he wants him to love someone – just not me. Yasuke sadly expresses with tears in his eyes, “I may not be able to love someone else.” He responds, “You have to find someone. Someone more important than me.” Knowing full well Yasuke’s love is only for him.
The cruelty of that statement is unbounded and reaches to the deepest core of Yasuke’s soul. His soulmate is gone from him because he was not strong enough, brave enough to be himself. Even the potential wife knows that ‘men can’t forget their first love.” Nothing is ever spoken but it does not need to be. She either suspects that the two of them were lovers or one day will figure it out – painfully.
The series is dark and broody and shot in muted tones almost in twilight light, reflective of the mood of this snippet. It is profoundly melancholic – painfully so. But Yasuki defines the title of this series with his final act. That act is the terminating defiance to acceptance of the established order of things. He has, in a way, ultimately gained his independence. It no doubt may be a long road to recovery.
Butter Tea
A small Tibetan café becomes a bridge between two generations – 2026 – United States
What an enjoyable and enlightening slice of life story this is. A young man whose roots are Tibetan works at a coffee shop featuring butter tea. Tezin (Tenzin Phurpatsang) does not really know how to make it. It is a Himalayan tea made with butter, tea, and salt. An older customer, Dorjee (Dhamchoe) asks for it and Tezin calls his mother to find out how to make it. Dorjee tells him that making the tea is not so much the ingredients but the method. He tells him to be mindful of how to make it – think of someone special.
From there, a warm and intense friendship develops between the older man and the young man. Spending time in the mornings drinking tea and talking in their native language. So much is learned by each and both.
Shortly afterwards, Dorjee stopped coming. And Tezin learns the sad truth. But he is grateful for the time he was able to spend with Dorjee and for the connection he now has given him to a simple beverage.
It has now more meaning and Tezin can make it gladly with greater confidence and meaning. He can recommend butter tea with a new sense of pride.
Just a gentle story of how something so simple can bridge greater understanding between generations and further understanding of the past culture. Beautifully done.
Firsts
A bipolar individual finally gets a date and guess what? – 2025 – United States
A young man finally gets a date! Peter (Charles Realubit) is preparing himself for his date and is quite nervous. Living in Los Angeles and trying to find the right guy is not easy, but finally he is hopeful. He meets Dante (Quentin Boyer) and they hit it off very well. Suddenly, Dante gets a call from his sister Sam (Kristen Caroselli). She is bipolar and has gotten off her meds and is having a relapse. Making some negative comment, Peter suddenly leaves without an explanation and refuses to acknowledge Dante’s ongoing messages.
One day, they accidentally meet on the street. And a flood of emotions and explanations spew from Peter and from Sam with whom Dante is with. It is both cathartic and revealing and no doubt therapeutic. Let us just say, at the end there are smiles.
In seven minutes, this sonnet of real life displays more character than most BLs take 10 or more episodes to try and unfold. It is a story that is clean, crisp, and personal with resolution that is completed quickly when confronted with candor. Even the actions taken, albeit misunderstood, are comprehendible.
A great story told refreshingly, straightforward and openly.
Odd Bird
The odd bird of the family comes home a frightened boy but leaves as an accepted son – 2025 – United States
For those of you unfamiliar with rural America or as we like to call it, ‘Americana’, this is sheer perfection. Driving down country roads while talking to your lover about where to go on your vacation, namely Palm Springs, is just so iconic. Such a picturesque image of what life is like in rural areas of the heartland.
This is a story of Clark (Michael Verde) who reluctantly needs to go back home to his conservative family who continues to live on a rural ranch out in the middle of nowhere. Apparently, he ‘escaped’ and moved to a city but now must return home. Home is in in the ‘stix, hicksville, redneck territory, boondocks’ or any other imagery of backward thinking you can think of. He needs to get something from his past that might be instrumental for his future. He also wants to finally ‘come out of the closet’ with his family. Yet, he is so scared to tell his mother (Betsy Moore) and his very redneck brother, Gunner (Jacob Peacock). Finally, he spits out that he is gay.
Well, the response from his mother and brother is simply cinematic magic. It destroys what we think redneck, hillybilly, white trash, country bumpkin (there are other terms) responses will be and throws them right out the window. This is pure genius and just worth 8 minutes in your day. Again, those of you unfamiliar with American rural living, while it may not SEEM a likely response, do not discount the deeper love of a mother and brother have for one another and the inherent knowledge one gets when growing up together under one roof, even in the most conservative areas. Funny thing is – they already knew. He ain’t telln em someum new. Shoot!
Although this snippet was done in 2019, it is still just as fresh and funny and so entertaining and has to be on everyone’s radar to watch. It will bring you joy even if just for a few moments. Do not skip this one!I
My Parents
A young man journey of coming out of the closet in a mirror world – 2025 – United States
I simply cannot spoil this journey for you. It starts out innocuous enough. Three friends are coming home from school and one is saying to his friends that he wants to come out of the closet to his parents. His friends are very supportive of him and now they can go out on a ‘double-date’. All is ‘normal’ up to this point.
Shift to him telling his parents, and the world turns upside down. I cannot and will not spoil the impact on you except to say what a world it is. Looking at the world in this way makes EVERYTHING turn upside down and funny.
What if the world was reversed? Think about it!
This is an exceptional and creative short film that ought to be shown in every school across America, if not the world, not just for its tongue-in-cheek approach to gayness but also because of seeing all the truisms about accepting gayness holds no matter what world you are in. Right? Because remember, in this world, straightness IS gay.
Enjoy!
Canta Santiago
A young boy sings his heart out at the same time wanting/needing to grow up – 2025 – United States
I threw in this short film because it is remarkably poignant and just brilliantly produced. And the acting by the young star, Santiago, Jacob Estrada, is some of the finest I have seen in any short plus the fact that the boy can sing!
We see a scared and intimidated young boy with a good-natured owner of the restaurant encouraging him to hold off if he is not ready yet. We conclude that his older brother used to sing here but the brother is gone. We know little from just what we can glean from the frightened young boy and the manager.
While he tries, he fails as his fears and insecurities overwhelm him. Suddenly, who shows up for his encouragement is his brother and with his brother’s assistance, Santiago is able to overcome his fears. We know as well as Santiago that his brother is what he imagined.
Will you cry? Of course you will! It is that type of human drama – one where love transcends and crosses boundaries.
For those unfamiliar with the sounds of Mariachi bands and music, this will give you a small taste of its magic and hypnotic rhythm. Those of us who are enormously lucky to live in an area where the culture, food, and music of Mexico is common, this is particularly poignant. Please enjoy and take the time to enjoy the beautiful singing and the touching story of a young boy’s journey along his path of life.
Heartdrop
The summer with Max which lead to my awakening – 2025 – Canada
Dylan (Daniel Yaqo) a studious individual bikes to the field to watch some players engaged in soccer. He longingly glances at Max (Will Trineer). The reason being is both are in love with each other and are secretly seeing each other. Dylan wants to be more open about it, but Max is reluctant with image, reputation, and pressure to remain in the closet weighing in on him. Yet, secretly, they are deeply in love. When alone, he tells Dylan so.
Suddenly, Max disappears. No word. No explanation. Nothing. Six months later he comes waltzing into the coffee shop where Dylan works. When confronted, Max acts like he did not even know Dylan. Later, when Max tries to explain what happened, it is too little, too late. The gray areas have been shaded in for Dylan. The hushed tones are now conversational voices. Dylan has moved on – without Max.
We see Dylan now with someone else in a loving and open relationship while Max sits in his room, pensive and reflective. Now in a place of ‘almosts’ and ‘what-ifs’, his heart must remain and can only speak in hushed tones.
This is a story that plays out so often in various forms in different versions but with all the same result. It is a tragedy and the agony of not fully realizing who and what you are and more importantly accepting its beauty. Sometimes until it is too late. And then your lifelong companion becomes – regret.
The Past Is Present
Echoes of the past keep haunting behaviors of the present but perhaps the Christmas spirit can change that – 2025 – Philippines
This is just such a simple story of possibly two guys getting together in their lives just a bit too soon. They were not ready. Realizing that after some time passing, regrets that were made, especially when the holidays are coming up and you feel extra lonely and alone. One keeps hoping for a Christmas miracle but realizing it is not likely to occur. When asked to attend a party, reluctantly going, hoping to meet him again but feeling that it seems more unlikely than likely.
But by chance or maybe it is really because of the miracle of Christmas, they meet again and realize that both have matured, grown, and now see each other and life differently. They spend the night together. Will it last beyond that? Well, it is Christmas!!
Perhaps this is just what is needed for the holiday season, however you celebrate it.
The Colour Blue
A story of isolation, bullying, despair and homophobia – 2024 – Australia
While this might have been filmed some time ago, its message is still relevant and unfortunately, and sadly, its thesis may never become outdated (at least in my lifetime). It’s a story about 2 best friends. She encourages him to tell his family that he is gay.
This small gem of a film points out the conflicting responses people have, especially family members have, when their versions of an ideal family composition burst. It also unravels a life-long friendship. The glue that bound them together can no longer cement the friendship.
It becomes astonishing how we, as victims, must learn to respond to them and their needs rather than the other way around. Somehow and in some way, they are wounded. We are not broken; they are. We are whole and they are not. They have to put their shattered pieces together whereas we are complete. Unfortunately, occasionally it takes a tragedy to see the light. In this case, it was nearly too late. Nearly.
In the end, the quote from the Dalai Lama succinctly and beautifully encapsulates the theme of this short portrayal. ”Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
I Was Just The Mail Guy…
More than a story about unconnected love and more about the underlying feeling – 2025 – United States
It is a fascinating and intriguing treatise of a colorful story of not just misunderstanding but of poetic providence. While fictional, it sounds and feels so real, and I can think of it forthrightly happening, especially in a small-town setting.
The characters are described so vividly that we can easily picture them. Having grown up in a small town where indeed football was king, this type of story is quite imaginable. I loved the theatrics of all of it.
Treat yourself to its journey. Just relax. Sit back and embrace the ride. You can even close your eyes and merely listen. If you are from the United States, perhaps you might appreciate its references more but do not let that deter you from reflecting. The message is clear and universal.
Enjoy!
Routine
A closeted teen tries to break through the bigotry and homophobia of his surroundings – 2022 – Mexico
This is another tragic story of a closeted teen living in a Catholic country filled with homophobic parents in a society that is patricidal and abusive. His life is so ‘routine’ with his only relief is escaping into a world of fantasy in his own room.
For someone at his age and his circumstances, all he can see, and feel, is the suppression and repression of his family, his religion, and the societal standards. With little to no hope. He takes a shining to one of his classmates and for a brief moment they manage to escape and enjoy the pleasures of being free.
Unfortunately, his father catches him with his boyfriend and beats him savagely while his mother watches and can only pray for him Eventually and literally rejecting him. The outcome is inevitable.
This is universally a broken record we see over and over again. The parents cannot accept their son as being gay for a variety of reasons but most religious. It is a story we see cross-culturally.
This story is so well-done. Its production is top notch, and the acting is obviously from the heart. It conveys the pain and hurt that is felt by every gay kid who has been abused by their families for the ‘right’ reasons.
This short film will deeply and profoundly affect you. If you do not weep at its ending, you again are not human.
Century Egg
A man returns ‘home’ really not sure why only to meet a stranger who helps him – 2024 – Taiwan
A remarkable story about a young man returning to Taiwan, perhaps at a time that he should not have. Yet, he feels compelled to do so. While wondering the streets that somehow feel familiar and yet not, he meets a man on a park bench that begins to ask him a lot of questions. Daniel (Justin Chien) seems lost and deeply reflective in his thoughts. Xiao An (Chien-Ho Wu) knows enough English while Daniel understands enough Chinese. Somehow the two find a connection and more consequentially an understanding.
The story is fervently deep, immensely reflective, and contemplative about life and death. You decide whether Xiao An leads Daniel to where he needed to be as someone very important to him or is it merely chance or happenstance?
The acting and production of this short film is pure sublimity. I do not often get to use the term brilliant – but that is what this small production is. I became so vested in the story, I felt everything. It is all encompassing. I cried. I felt Daniel’s connections. I understood his need to go back. All of it is there for us for the taking. Please avail yourself of this short masterpiece. It will affect you and remain with you long after you have watched it.
Shan & Chen
A story about a younger brother and his older straight brother when their love deepens – 2025 – China
This is an astonishing and fascinating story of two ‘brothers’. Honestly, whether they are or not is debatable as the term in China is loosely used. A meekish younger brother comes to live with his older brother. The story is told cryptically to be sure and not always consistently translated that makes logical sense in English. No matter though as you will get the gist of the story by its telling. It is obvious from the beginning that the two had some familiarity with each other. While the younger appears to be immature and almost child-like, he manages to draw out from the older brother much more than the older brother was expecting.
Both actors are astonishingly handsome with the older brother almost taking your breath away by his looks. He is mesmerizing. The two are obviously lonely and while the older brother tries desperately to deny what is happening between them and/or his younger brother’s obvious attempts to get closer to him, over the course of time, he succumbs. And we find the two beginning to relax with each other.
Even though this is a short film, it provides a lifetime of experience for the two of them. We find out so much about who these two are and quite literally what makes them tick. This is an astonishing journey of self-discovery for each of them. On different levels for each of course.
Just go with the flow while watching this film. It may not always consistently translate well, but you will understand its meaning and direction. Simply enjoy their journey together.
Why Do We Have To Hide It?
He wants to keep our relationship a secret – 2025 – Japan
A bit of an unusual short snippet from Japan about a secret relationship between two high school students. One is the most popular boy in school while the other thinks of himself as a loser. Keita thinks of himself as less than worthy of Rikuu.
Surprisingly for being so short, it tackles a lot of adolescent issues with sensitivity and compassion. It shows rather well the complexities of trying to navigate a relationship especially a gay one. Keita would like to be more open about it, but Rikuu is hesitant which causes Keita to think it is because of him. If he was dating someone cooler and someone right out of a BL manga, he would be ok with their relationship. Instead, Keita is plain and gloomy. To add to their issues, Rikuu’s old girlfriend tries to reinitiate their former connection.
But it turns out that Rikuu simply does not want to tell others because he does not want to ruin what they have. Even his mother begins to realize that Rikuu’s relationship with Keita is more than just a friendship and is more than willing to accept her son for who he is.
This is just a nice story with not a wasted moment of storytelling. It is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. While I understood its intent, I wish it had taken one step further and actually showed the kiss. It is time to stop with sophomoric attitudes and prepubescent nonsense when it comes to human connections. It is simply a kiss; not sex. Get over it. The world will not end with a simple kiss between two high school boys who are obviously in love with each other.
Bulldog
An escape by masculinity for two young men to comfort each other – 2023 – Australia
Obviously, a small town with narrow-minded views and traditional concepts rule the mindset. Football is everything. Toxic masculinity is also abound and part of the culture and customs and one of the rules of this sport. Two players seem to have an affinity for one another. Charlie (Connor Pullinger) and Jack (Luke Furlan) are members of the same team. Charlie appears to be a bit more removed from the team and the sport than does Jack.
One day after practice, they go to the beach and decide to romp around in the ocean. Getting playful in the ocean, Jack suddenly grabs Charlie and kisses him.
This is a story with no answers; only questions. We know nothing about their relationship before and certainly after this incident, it becomes one buried and hidden. Only occasionally resurfaced by the two of them when they are alone in the ocean. Until one day, they are spotted…
As is typical in these scenarios, feelings become hidden, lost, buried and only remembered in obscure and intangible ways. Mainly in overt masculine formats that only the two of them would or could understand the meaning behind their physical contacts. What appears to be hits by football to others around them is their way of staying intimate. Sad, but better to feel him than not be able to touch him at all. I understood.
When your world is completely shaped by where you are and who you are with no way to ever, ever change any of that, you touch the one you want in a way that is acceptable. Until and if they day comes that maybe that could change…
Before and After
A naïve junior confesses his feelings to his senior – 2025 – Japan
The story begins innocuously. The junior is working out and notices that his senior is exceptionally tense from breaking up with his girlfriend. They talk for a while and finally, the junior spills out that he has feelings for his senior. Romantic feelings. The senior, rather than recognizing the source of the exchange, only thinks of himself and how negative this was to him. When asked if he knew why his girlfriend broke up with him, he shakes his head no. It turns out that he hit his girlfriend and he likes and enjoys hitting his girlfriends and if they became lovers, he would hit him too. Would he be ok with that? The junior, foolishly and in the heat of the moment, says he is all right with all of that just as long as he could love him. Not fully understanding or realizing what he has agreed to. He had not thought with his intellectual head; only with his pleasurable one.
What we silently see next is the junior walking the streets with a suitcase, all alone, sitting at a bus stop, crying. No doubt having learned a painful lesson in life that abuse is never all right, acceptable, or something tolerable. He is yet another victim of assault, the extent we shall never fully know but no doubt it had been considerable.
Life when you are gay is painful in the best of times and made more difficult when you feel isolated, alone, and unwanted and now ashamed. And made more vulnerable because you will put up with anything to feel desired. This no doubt has happened more times than we can count in some form or another. In all kinds of society.
This is the other side of the coin to a BL.
Unraveled
A young man’s going away party with a time-looping twist – 2025 – United States
A rather caustic young gay man is having a ‘going-away’ party that his friends are having for him. Seth (Seth Peterson) is scared. Unsure of the move across country and his anxiety is turning off his friends during his farewell party. However, when he escapes to rest, he wakes up re-living the party again. No matter how hard he tries to tell others, no one believes him. Each time he reawakes, he attempts a new tactic to see if the results will change. Nothing seems to change. While he is looping in the same moment, like Groundhog Day, and tries on different personality traits and approaches, everything remains the same. Gradually he senses that he cannot and therefore should not live within an imaginary world. He must be true to himself. And that version of himself is different to different people. He is and does present himself differently to others. Perhaps now seeing that, he will no longer be afraid to really be himself.
This is a disorienting short film. One which forces us to confront our fears about second guessing whether we made the right decision. If we could relive moments in our lives to help us decide again, would we? We might just realize that even if we could, the inevitable outcome is the same. Life perseveres and we simply need to move on.
This is a well-acted short snippet that gives us the illusion for wondering what we would do if we could relive moments like that and try different cathartic methods to help finally move on from who we once were. This is just an interesting and intriguing story. Can we really change who we are?
We, Unfinished
A young man grieves a profound loss only to take comfort in an older man – 2025 – Japan
A dark brooding short film full of pain and heartache. I am not sure the emotional scars from such events can ever be fully recovered from. Honestly, little is known about the characters except that they live in horrible unhappiness from loss. While we know nothing about Sho, we know that he has lost the love of his life and now his life is empty. Sho is handsome with a piercing stare and while stand-offish, still manages to draw people to him. By some fate or some weird destiny, he meets an older guy who falls in love with him, almost instantly. This guy is full of secrets as well. Married. Yet, he too like a moth drawn to a flame cannot keep away from Sho. This is their sad story of love. Somehow the two of them found each other.
Both now because of their bond have lost so much. There is nothing left for them except the love they have for each other. Is it enough? We shall never know their outcome anymore than they will. All they can now do is live each day as it comes.
In essence, this is really a story of courage, although it may not seem so. Courage for each to move on and be themselves in a society and culture that does not want them to be happy, together, or in love. Their road will be very difficult, if not impossible. We have just witnessed just a small slice of it.
Sadly, I do not think this story is an uncommon one. I think it plays out in one form or another, many times over. Until all of us have equal value, rights, and privileges, none of us will.
Never Fair
An old friendship is rekindled in a new way – 2025 – South Korea
This works if you do not think about it for very long. In all my years of watching BLs, Koreans do seem to have a cloud that naturally hangs over them, preventing them from having fun. And when they do, it mainly centers around drinking, which of course they pretend to never remember what they did but their inner child and/or frustrated self comes out. This is another prime example of that.
There is something underlyingly creepy about this short series. On Yu (Yoo Jin Seok) allows his childhood friend to live with him while he looks for work in Seoul. His friend, Ji Woo (Lee Su Hyeok) had been friends when they were much younger. On Yu begins to develop a set of odd and restrictive rules for Ji Woo to follow while he lives there, all in an attempt to cover up his jealousy of a friendship that Ji Woo developed with his boss, Lee Do Han (Choi Wook) of a coffee shop where he works part time.
This is yet again another example of odd behaviors being used to cover up truer feelings rather than simply being open and talking about it. It simply defies logic here what lengths individuals go through to convey their feelings without using the direct route. This seems to be a rather cultural tool used over and over again and is particularly strong with Korean gay relationships. Or at least it appears that way.
The protagonists are astonishingly handsome and have surprisingly good screen chemistry. But the story left me uncomfortable and feeling as if one (On Yu) is an abuser and one is a victim (Ji Woo). Or at the very least, there is no sense that they are thought of as being equals.
I got no happy sentiments or warm fuzzies from watching this short series.
Perhaps you might feel different..
A Pair
Drifted apart friends reconnect but only for a brief and painful moment – 2025 –United States
Lucas (Bran Sullivan) has been gone for a while. We know nothing about him except that his parents sent him away to a Catholic school. We know even less about his friend Finn (Djanne Martinez), whom he meets accidentally as he exits the bus. We sense, however, at one time that they were close, perhaps even in ‘love’. But Lucas disappeared. Without a word.
When reconnecting again, the old feelings suddenly rush back, perhaps too strongly and some things were said and done that maybe needed more time to process. Why? Because Finn moved on. Lucas did not.
When Finn realized what just happened, he emphatically and firmly tells Lucas to never contact him again, walking away without looking back. Leaving Lucas, alone, a crumbled mess. It was obvious that Finn meant something to Lucas. We are left with Finn telling someone on the phone that he is on his way…
This is a brilliant and outstanding snippet of life where serendipitous reunions, as often is the case, unexpectedly have consequences. It will leave you feeling sad and maybe even disheartened. This is a heart wrenching video that shows both the pain and delight of youth. The awkwardness and yet the resilience. My belief is one day, Finn will regret using the word ‘never’ the way he did to his love, Lucas. Maybe not now. But someday. And it will bring him tears and a sense of shame and regret. Perhaps with a tinge of thought, “If only I could have said that better….”
For the young actors, they portrayed astonishing strong emotions and a deep connection to their characters. The cinematography of this short film is outstanding.
This is truly a must-see. It is genuinely and painfully emotive.