Most gay-themed films - in the West at least - focus on the positive. On relationship building, romance, sex, music or superficial trifles which are all necessary expressions of identity. Very rarely a film comes along which takes us to the dark side of gay life, and usually they focus on real events like "Prayers for Bobby" or "Boys don't cry". These reminders of hate and oppression are somewhat bearable because they put a barrier between their story and what we ourselves may have endured - the barrier of authenticity, location and time. This film, however, is different. What this film describes could happen anywhere - and is happening somewhere. If you sit this through, there is no escaping this fact, so watching this film is going to be a grueling experience if you are gay. And probably also if you witnessed gay bashing back in school and didn't do anything about it, because it will bring that memory back.
For a long time, you won't see this coming as the story takes a lot of time to build. A high school boy has had a crush on the local leader of bullies since he was a kid - that side story perhaps being one of the few weaknesses of the plot. The guy ignores him though - until he steals the boy's bike for a getaway, which he then sells off. The boy keeps demanding his bike back, and through his obstinacy blossoms their relationship. However, through a series of increasingly threatening events, their secret leaks, which culminates in a violent catharsis.
The slow build-up may be tiresome for some - not much happens in the first half - but it's very effective once the momentum pushes forward like an avalanche. As usual in Korean film, tech specs and performances are top notch - you can almost smell the sweat of fear running down from the protagonist's cheeks. Again as usual in Korean film, authority is squarely and convincingly blamed for turning students into norm-obsessed monsters. The authenticity of the teachers' misbehavior made me cringe more than once. Yet as unbearable as things may seem - there is a silver lining on the horizon at the end, as beautifully illustrated by the glimmering ashes in the air (but that's it for hints).
In short: this is a gay must-see but has remained relatively unknown because of its harshness. Unlike most gay films, this one will very likely make you face the demons of your youth (if you were not that fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment). "Night Flight" can definitely give straight audiences an idea of what gay kids may have to go through, but it won't be an easy experience.
For a long time, you won't see this coming as the story takes a lot of time to build. A high school boy has had a crush on the local leader of bullies since he was a kid - that side story perhaps being one of the few weaknesses of the plot. The guy ignores him though - until he steals the boy's bike for a getaway, which he then sells off. The boy keeps demanding his bike back, and through his obstinacy blossoms their relationship. However, through a series of increasingly threatening events, their secret leaks, which culminates in a violent catharsis.
The slow build-up may be tiresome for some - not much happens in the first half - but it's very effective once the momentum pushes forward like an avalanche. As usual in Korean film, tech specs and performances are top notch - you can almost smell the sweat of fear running down from the protagonist's cheeks. Again as usual in Korean film, authority is squarely and convincingly blamed for turning students into norm-obsessed monsters. The authenticity of the teachers' misbehavior made me cringe more than once. Yet as unbearable as things may seem - there is a silver lining on the horizon at the end, as beautifully illustrated by the glimmering ashes in the air (but that's it for hints).
In short: this is a gay must-see but has remained relatively unknown because of its harshness. Unlike most gay films, this one will very likely make you face the demons of your youth (if you were not that fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment). "Night Flight" can definitely give straight audiences an idea of what gay kids may have to go through, but it won't be an easy experience.
