BraveAppointment1

The story of people struggling to survive, in the gay indie film industry. The actors who strip it off and gyrate because otherwise they have no money. The producer who flirts with all the actors. The director who's trying to make it all work without resources, and who in the end also has to fight the censor-board bureaucracy. It's an interesting concept, but unfortunately this production was as low-budget as the movie the characters were trying to make. And you can tell it's 10 years old -- there is the spark of a romance between two of the characters, but never pursued. (The gay world was dirty and weird.....plenty of lust but no love.)

Best lines:
Censor Board member: "This is clearly in violation of the rules. Look at that! Erect genitals!"
Director: "That is not an erection, Ma'am. He just has a big d**k."

Just finished watching the last few eps.
-- The last few episodes were a distinct improvement, and I enjoyed watching them. I'm glad they produced the "extra" episodes.
-- The middle of the series suffered greatly from the typhoon-induced disruptions. It's sad because there was unrealized potential in this series (interesting plot, nice music from Spencer G.and really good chemistry between the two leads.)
-- In the final few episodes, the relationship between Caloy and John blossoms, and it shows the strength of having a real-life couple play the two leads. Their romantic interactions, the way they looked at and touched each other, and their passionate kisses -- all showed a deep chemistry that clearly goes way beyond filmmaking. (It's too bad that -- because of the plot keeping the two at a distance -- we didn't appreciate this until the end.) I really enjoyed watching the couple, once they relaxed and got into their roles.
-- From the beginning, the natural scenery of Nueva Ecija was impressive, and it was showcased in several scenes in the last few episodes. Very impressive.

And for those who might be concerned about how it ends.....it leaves you feeling happy, not depressed.

This was really good!!!! I also was dubious, having read various negative posts. I really don't know why I turned it on, but after the second episode I was completely hooked. It's short -- more of a miniseries -- so I ended up binging it in one night (not my usual viewing mode). But the characters were great, the underlying issues were/are very real and very sensitively handled, and.....well....Royce Cabrera is so nice to watch!! It's not perfect, but well worth an evening.

The premiere will be available on Gagaoolala on April 9.

The music video for the song "Just Love Me" is out on Youtube (with English subs). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGpynzRWs9M I love the visual interaction between the two actors, by the sea.

I think people would appreciate knowing -- underneath the spoiler label above there's no real spoiler. It is an interesting interview with Kaleb Ong, who talks about the various projects he has worked on in the last three months, including Meet My Angel, what it was like working with Enzo Santiago, etc.

"Kalel, 15" has received international accolades, including best director for Jun Lana at the Talinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, best actor for Elijah Canlas at the Asian Film Festival in Rome, and best editing for Benjamin Tolentino at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Macau.

Not at all like UWMA. At the beginning of Ep 10 there is a farewell scene which is a real sad moment, and leaves many people crying at the start of the episode. But not shocking like UWMA.

It was a great watch. Now we should all go out and eat Mix snacks, and use watermelon soap for our showers. :-)

Okay, they are working now. Was able to watch the ep. Not sure if I'm gonna like it or not. It's got potential.

2nd episode has been up, on YouTube, for three days, but the subtitles aren't working. (You can turn them on, in theory, but no titling actually shows. after the first 6 minutes.)

I understand the criticisms of this low-budget series overall, but I think these discussions are too harsh. For me this series is profoundly interesting. It is soooo different from the light and frivolous BL dramas which are so plentiful. In fact I would not consider this to be BL at all....it is much more in the tradition of LGBTQ dramas, which affront the real-world problems of gay people -- in this case, HIV, rejection, self-hate.......it is very powerful stuff. And to that get added the profoundly human problems of relationships, love and inevitable death. I am not much of a believer myself, but I find the idea that somewhere there is love and redemption awaiting everyone to be an excellent basis for what is otherwise a pretty bleak existence.

I was deeply moved by Ep 7, both by the scene where Damon has a fight with Tito Peter and especially the long scene when Damon and Angelo were in bed, just talking. (Of course in that kind of scene there is nothing to focus on but the actors, and the actors are great.)

On thing is sure....this one is not predictable!! I'm not at all sure what is going to happen in the last episode (strategically timed for release on Easter weekend.) In a series like this, literally anything is possible.

I agree about the quality of ATOTS; it is top-notch. That said, felt the pain more in ITSAY. (Translation: cried my eyes out multiple times) But that may be because Teh's dilemma was closer to my lived experience than anything in ATOTS.

I really think the cinematography in Ep 9 went a big step above other earlier episodes (and of course above other series -- ATOTS is in the top few well-made BL: series anywhere.) And such a variety of scenes -- from the hospital emergency to the love and melancholy expressed during the conversation on the lawn there is a HUGE range and P'Aof really outdid himself this time.

Dunno if you've seen it, but I thought the portrayal of the trans teacher in "Oh Mando" was really good, and sympathetic. Made the viewer feel for the nature of the character's struggle. Much better than the run-of-the-mill depiction as you describe.

(y'oughtta hide that spoiler) Well, every analysis is a projection, and on that basis, I am SURE they had very enjoyable sex.

Agree. I think this was definitely the best episode yet. I thought some of the actual camera work was quite good. I guess they didn’t feel they had time to do a smoother transition for Andre, but the “new” character is much more relatable than the previous one. I also would have preferred a bit more relationship development rather than just falling into bed. Kai is adorably cute, and if Andre breaks his heart there’s gonna be hell to pay.

>>every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.<< What a great insight. (If you just made it up I am going to be soooooo impressed."

I also liked the temple scene. Reminds all of us non-Thais that the series has a very specific cultural context and should be a cross-cultural learning opportunity. Very sad when Phu arrived to lay some flowers down, and had no idea who else was mourning Torfun..

>>by his charachter arc shown until now, how can we not love Tian<< Redemption and forgiveness are not always easy to achieve. (It may be harder for some of the fans on this board than for the villagers -- if they were real.)

Agree completely. (BTW, check your inbox......I sent you a direct message.)