Label Me

Around 2015-2016, refugee issue was explosive in Europe. Film makers wouldn't miss the opportunity of this human tragedy and drama, and the motive trickled in a few gay themed films too... but I find them rarely satisfying. I think main loophole is taking a refugee issue as mere dramatic device; failing to deliver much more than very generic "he's a refugee, must've gone through a hard time, left with an wounded soul...".

Unfortunately 'Label Me' is not free from the loophole. Waseem is pictured as a pretty generic closeted gay Middle eastern. Beyond that we hardly see anything much more that makes a character truly alive. Why is he here, how did he get here, what does he really want? And it's not just Waseem. We are equally left blank about Lars. I really don't see why he gets almost obsessed with Waseem beyond a passing curiosity when there's hardly any chemistry between the two.

Without the life, blood and chemistry, what's left is cool 'feel' akin to a chic commercial fashion plate. It's a bit like Lars' apartment; clean, stylish, modern, grey and lifeless.