Saw this that the 2023 filmfestival Gand (Belgium). Very many things were un-said and thus implied, which is not always easy for us to grasp. Due to homosexuality being forbidden by law (14 years in prison, said the director during the Q&A), I can understand that some issues are not clearly outspoken, not even among friends. Important quote: "walls have ears", according to a neighbor, albeit that was about Ifeyinwa's frequent visits to Bambino, as she was promised to another man.
As a result, we, living in a more enlightened world, are forced to interpret on the fly. Apart from the "14 years in prison" rule written in the law, what we also not knew before being made aware of twice by demonstration, is the violence of a street mob when someone is deemed a criminal, even to the extent that petrol is poured over the would-be "perpetrator" and set on fire without any form of due process we are used to.
Positive in this movie is that we get an inside look in a society that has its taboos on things we take easily for granted. The risks are high when coming out. It may not always run smoothly here in the Western world, but it is infinitely more difficult in Nigeria with a 14-year-in-prison penalty, apart from street mobs that have their own system of "justice". Even when succeeding in avoiding street justice, I assume that life in prison is not easy either when someone is "officially" declared gay.
On the other hand, negative in this movie is that we must interpolate and outguess what is not being said but implied. It only works for those who are sensitive for the signs. It may thus feel a slow-burner for that reason. Luckily, I was a bit prepared by having read some reviews, thus knowing what the main subject was. A superficial and unprepared viewer won't even notice what the topic of interest is, and only see the one-sided romance between Ifeyinwa and Bambino. But still, I'm convinced I missed a lot of clues too.
According to the director, this movie has zero chance to get shown in Nigeria. For that reason, it might have been better to add some info for those outside Nigeria or other country with similar taboos. It prevents us from missing relevant clues and improve our experience.
