Veils (2021)

Simple, Gorgeous, Real, and Inspiring

Simple and gorgeous, while simultaneously showing several issues facing same-sex couples. In it, we meet a strong-willed bibliophile who just wants to be treated fairly, and her partner who is still struggling with being closeted and internalized homophobia in the face of prejudice and micro-aggressions. My heart hurt for her when she said that she wasn't allowed to be upset because "lesbians shouldn't walk in the sun."

I love how our two female leads balance each other out, providing each other unbridled joy and courage as they move forward in life. To the point where they truly are able to shake things off, not because they're scared to be upset, but because they have each other's backs.

Citeste mai mult

As fluffy as a white vail in a summer breeze...

This short film is indeed short, to the point and tackles pretty much what one may expect a same sex couple would have to deal with when searching for a place to take a wedding photo in a country that does not allow people of the same sex legal marriage rights.

Add to it that the couple is indeed stuck inside a box (or the closet), which makes is just that little bit more harder. Between the unnecessary obstacles we do also get to see some fluff, the very present hetero norm and well more fluff.

The acting is decent, the photography a bit shaky at times... the lighting varies between dark, meeh to light and yes fluffy white vails... just like the title entails.

Definitely a short film worth a watch, and while it may not bring much new to the photographer it does offer some pretty decent representation.

Citeste mai mult

Lift the veil

Veils is a short movie about two women in a relationship who would like to have proof of their commitment to each other in a form of wedding photos. They have trouble finding LGBT friendly photo studio and those they do find offer single photos. While one of the women would like to drop it , the other one is fed up with the sort the japanese society leaves to them and decides to complain. And it works and they have their wedding photos taken.

This was a nice short movie about ordinary people facing daily challenges because of who they are. They are both more or less closeted: one does not dare come out to her parents and the other is reluctant to talk in public about her partner. But that is the result of deeply rooted cultural prejudices, as far as I know. Even though marketing yourself as LGBT friendly commerce (photo studio) is good selling point in today's more tolerant and open societies, there is usually nothing behind it, as the women find out. To bring the change about in a society, one needs to be willing to fight for one's convictions. And that's what they end up doing. By taking photos in wedding dresses, the women wanted to lift the veil off of their own relationship.

The movie is a slice of life kind, where we find out a lot about the characters through conversation and simple remarks and glances. It was well produces, though toned down colours and shaky cameras are things y=they could have done without.

Citeste mai mult

We deserve to walk in the sun

This one got to me alright, it got me right in my queer little heart.
It's such a beautiful, tender, deeply realistic story about two people who love each other but who are boxed in by invisible social barriers. It sends a loud and clear message about equal rights and the challenges queer people and specifically queer couples are confronted with in everyday life. It addresses these topics unflinchingly but nevertheless with great sensitivity.
There are no tragic deaths to underscore the suffering queer people have to go through, instead the characters get to stand up and face their troubles directly. They get to protest and fight and lend each other strength by simply loving one another.
It's a simple tale of resilience and love, expertly told.
If there really is a sequel coming, I can't wait to see more.

Citeste mai mult