The themes in this film are well known to me. I live in a Muslim country so I know the attitudes towards gay men that are overtly displayed in contradiction to the enormous prevalence of secret man on man action that is often carried out by the very same guys who are being so disparaging. I also worked with refugees for some years in the nineties in the UK and have seen the crushing of spirits caused by refusals of asylum applications.
Parvis and Amon make a handsome couple but their relationship is shot through with the discrepancies mentioned above. Amon dare not let his mates know what's going on. His sister is fine with the issue as are Parvis's parents.
The scenes of birthdays, parties, clubs, young life are all what we would see any young people enjoying. These youngsters just want the freedoms we have in the West and that are denied to them in their own country. They would be assets to Germany. Indeed, Parvis is, as he has a German passport.
I found the dialogue, even from the more minor characters, to be totally appropriate and relevant.
However, coming through all this is a nostalgia for "back home". As an emigré, I have it. How much stronger it must be for those forced to leave for whatever reason.
This was ninety minutes I certainly didn't regret in the slightest.
Parvis and Amon make a handsome couple but their relationship is shot through with the discrepancies mentioned above. Amon dare not let his mates know what's going on. His sister is fine with the issue as are Parvis's parents.
The scenes of birthdays, parties, clubs, young life are all what we would see any young people enjoying. These youngsters just want the freedoms we have in the West and that are denied to them in their own country. They would be assets to Germany. Indeed, Parvis is, as he has a German passport.
I found the dialogue, even from the more minor characters, to be totally appropriate and relevant.
However, coming through all this is a nostalgia for "back home". As an emigré, I have it. How much stronger it must be for those forced to leave for whatever reason.
This was ninety minutes I certainly didn't regret in the slightest.