Until Rainbow Dawn (2018)

Largely set in the bar of ARTnSHELTER (which has since been closed, from what I've read), this is a great story of deafness, coming out, and acceptance.

In it, we see a story told entirely through sign language from actors and crew belonging to and familiar with the community. This was actually the first project from the director where they utilized sound, and they did so very well. For instance, the audible sounds that deaf individuals may let off while talking to each other. I know that this is a subject that's brought up a lot in the deaf community in reference to interactions with hearing people. The film also utilized scene-fitting speechless ambient music in the background which definitely helped me, as a hearing individual, focus on the film better than if it was pure silence.

In it, we see the development of concerns about coming out after a bad first coming out experience, especially in the context of how small the deaf community is in some areas. We see a diversity of rounded LGBTQ rep through our main and support characters (bisexual, gay, lesbian, trans ftm, and trans mtf) as they create a safe haven for each other through the sharing of their stories and understanding. In fact, Ayumi even explicitly draws a diagram showing how gender, sex, and sexuality are all independent spectrums of identity.

The acting was also great. Normally, I will tear up upon hearing someone's voice cracking. But Hana's facial expressions were so detailed and spot-on that I found myself tearing up even without the audio input that normally contributes. However, while I was completely sold on the characters as individuals, I didn't think that the 2 FLs had romantic chemistry. They felt more like really close friends. They lacked the glances between each other that would have really sold their emotional investment to each other.

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reality in a way

You rarely come across an actual good GL show/series honestly but this one was really good. Hana coming out to her parents was the hardest part watching because the reactions seem a little delayed but it still freaking hurts when her mother signs it's disgusting and she needs to leave:(((( but I'm glad she already had her own place to live and chose to be happy instead in a unhappy marriage. I forgot the bar owner and her workers but the stories that was shared in the bar scene made me cry a lot lol (I'm a bit sensitive) but it is kind of the reality in a way. I must the guy was lucky because his mother happened to be one of those parents who don't really understand what exactly it means being trans but still want the best for their kids and wish their kids the best and tell them to be happy. Anyways -- it is a feel good but also a sad movie. It's also quick honestly. Also it is a happy ending which is nice.

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