Gameboys: Level Up Edition is an expanded, re-edited version of the Filipino BL (boy love) drama Gameboys. Don't freak out; in Asia "boy-love" means "love between teenage boys."
It is a gay teen romance for the COVD era, taking place almost entirely online. We see the uptight, cautious, not-quite-out Cai (left) and cool, confident, gay-and-proud Gavreel (right) interacting through online games, Facebook pages, Instant messages, text messages, and Zoom rooms (or their fictional equivalents).
I find a bit disconcerting to watch someone else's computer screen on my computer screen, but I imagine that the target audience of teenagers will not mind a bit.
Various family members and friends chime in, notably, Terence, Gavreel's ex-boyfriend, who tries to drive a wedge between them, and Cai's Dad, who dies of COVD before Cai has a chance to come out.
All in virtual forums, of course.
Cai and Gavreel finally meet in person in Episode 10 -- six feet apart, wearing social distancing masks. Then they take the masks off, kiss, have pizza, and spend the night together.
I find a bit disconcerting to watch someone else's computer screen on my computer screen, but I imagine that the target audience of teenagers will not mind a bit.
Various family members and friends chime in, notably, Terence, Gavreel's ex-boyfriend, who tries to drive a wedge between them, and Cai's Dad, who dies of COVD before Cai has a chance to come out.
All in virtual forums, of course.
Cai and Gavreel finally meet in person in Episode 10 -- six feet apart, wearing social distancing masks. Then they take the masks off, kiss, have pizza, and spend the night together.
The remaining episodes involve challenges to their relationship and,, oddly, Terence's descent into the Dark Side of the internet.
All in virtual forums, of course.
Gameboys has been winning awards around the world: Indie Shorts Awards (Buenos Aires), Amsterdam World Film Festival, Asian Gigster Awards, First Annual Pinoy BL Awards, Starmometer Asian Awards, Central BL Awards (Brazil). Third Annual BL Series Awards.
Who knew that there were enough BL series to warrant all that attention?
Naturally, there wil be a second season, plus a spin-off starring Cai's friend Pearl Next Door.
Virtual space is hip. When I was a kid, internet dating was a punchline, "man signs into lesbian chatroom, meets uncle". That was before the 'rona. But, you know, now everyone wants a virus-free experience. But I am wearing pants, and a few accessories, but I don't wear perfume to a Zoom call. (Maybe have some potpourri for myself.)
ReplyDeleteIt's usually translated (at least from Japanese to English) as "boys' love" to separate it from that, just for the record. But yeah, it's mostly associated with Japan, but has spread to at least some of the capitalist countries (Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan). I remember in college, Gravitation was all the rage.