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The Wicked Game (Thai Series)

By Golu
Right from the start, this show makes it clear that its name isn't just for show. Almost every person in the story is playing their own "wicked game," whether they’re doing it because they’re ambitious, traumatized, or just desperate for attention. The plot is packed with twists, and basically, everyone is busy stabbing everyone else in the back. Since it’s a BL, there is a gay love story, and it’s definitely important to the plot, but I honestly don't think it’s the main focus. It’s more of a messy web of family power struggles and danger. The series has 10 episodes, and each one is about an hour long. The story is a big power struggle between three siblings who have the same dad but different moms. Their father is a wealthy, powerful guy looking for someone to take over his empire. The oldest son, Chet, is hungry for power and thinks everything belongs to him. The daughter, Risa, is just as greedy, but her dad constantly ignores her because she’s a woman. Then there...
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I Am Samuel (Swahili/English) (Documentary)

By Golu
This Kenyan documentary is an example of how few are the stories that we have heard or seen about the marginalized sexual oriented folks from the African continent. Sure, most of the countries there have some very strict laws against homosexuality, but how I wish there were more brave film makers who dare to take a chance. I know, its easier said than done. This documentary chronicles the life of Samuel who lives with his partner Alex and his relationship with his parents.

Filmed over 5 years, we meet Samuel who is in a stable relationship with his boyfriend Alex. But while we ar introduced to them, the scenes of a man being brutally beaten to death are juxtaposed on our screen. This guy was Samuel's friend and we immediately know that this is a brave step for these boys to bring their story to life. Samuel has grown in a small Kenyan village and has slash struggled with his sexuality, until he moved to Nairobi and finds friends and people like him. But family is still important to him. He visits his village to his parents who love him but also want him to get married and have a family. Even though they have met Alex as a friend, they chose to ignore. This dynamic Changs when Samuel officially comes out to his family and the father stops talking to him for a few years. Until his mother again reaches out to him asking to visit. The two boys are met with love and welcome, but probably still as friends. I can't imagine parents suddenly accepting someone like this. But we do see a hopeful ending when Samuel tells us that every prayer in their family starts with recalling all names of family members and now Alex is part of that list.

The documentary is a decent watch. Rather than sensationalizing the whole aspect of beinggay in Africa, the focus here is on queer solidarity and Samuel's life. It tries to show us how gay men possibly live in Nairobi or rural Kenya. We see Samuel and Alex surrounded by supportive queer friends, celebrating their anniversaries and generally just being happy and themselves. It would have been nice to see what's Alex's version as well and how easy or hard it was for him and his family to accept their son too. But nevertheless, it was very interesting to see the love Samuel's parents give him. This documentary is a timely story of perseverance, acceptance, teaching, mundanity, destiny, faith and simple humanity. Its not preachy or educational, but a story that educates you and shows you the humane side of things. It is the kind of African story that shelves being brave in favor of being seen as human by those closest to you and many families need it. (6/10)
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