Gameboys: The Movie
I had watched the series some time ago, but I am just watching the movie which captures the events that took place after season 1 finished. I only have season 2 left to watch now.
WARNING!
This movie has a plot surrounding homophobia and a homophobic family member. It also details attempts of conversion through religious means. Biases against homosexuality are also expressed such as but not limited to, "Your relationship is not going nowhere, you cannot get married..."
If you are considering watching this movie please take seriously the above warning, so as to not trigger yourself. I am going to use the spoiler feature because I am just going to talk freely and not necessarily because I am dropping spoilers, I just cannot bother to be intentional about hiding spoilers that may come out. With all that being said let's get into it.
This movie really delves into the personal struggle of a gay man wanting to be free, but because of family is afraid to come out and live freely. It shows how that fear can manifest from early family interactions and comments family members say recklessly, intentionally or even without much thought. In the movie we observe one of the main leads, Gavreel, having to hide in the closet out of trauma caused by an aunt. When he was a child living with his grandmother the aunt would come around and make comments to the grandmother about how Gavreel acts too feminine and being careful of him turning out gay. She went further with her homophobic agenda by taking him to church one Sunday and having the priest 'pray the gay away'. They told Gavreel that he would go to hell if he turned out gay. The portrayal of this in the movie makes you feel angry, really tying your feelings with the events taking place on screen.
In all this darkness the light of love shines through. The love between the main couple is used as a vehicle to drive home the truths to combat homophobia. Them sticking together and fighting against the aunt reinforces the notion that love conquers all.
If you are not triggered easily by any of the mentioned topics or events I think you should give it a watch.
I am keeping this review short lol I will stand on my soapbox another day.
8/10