Ever since I watched Being 17, I was sure I would never see another beautifully shot non-cliche teenage story about sexuality, but this movie proved me wrong.
I'll be honest, I am disappointed that in the end, nothing truly romantic developed, but I also understand it fits the narrative and the characters of the story and it was beautifully done otherwise, so I'm not even mad at it.
Because this movie has it all when it comes to showing the confusion and exploration lgbt+ youth go through whilst going through puberty and discovering relationships. In fact, it does a heck of a lot better job than other lgbt+ movies, even those that DO have romance in the end.
If I wanted someone who didn't understand what it was like to be lgbt+ to understand me, I'd show them this wonderfully made movie to express what it's like to develop homosexual desires through puberty that leads to confusing crushes on friends and feelings of jealousy and repressed love. I literally saw a younger version of myself in this movie, living the shame and repulsion again of what it was like to feel different among my peers who were going through the same journey of sexuality except mine being completely different.
Unlike Yo Adolescente, which tries to tackle the same themes of lgbt+ sexual journeys and suicidal awareness, Hjartasteinn actually does this in a real and convincing way while being captivating and on focus and never once perpetuates negative stereotypes or unhealthy views of lgbt+ youth. I'd recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good lgbt+ coming of age story or anyone such as an writer or artist who has a lgbt+ character but who isn't gay to use this as research of what the gay experience is like, because this movie shows it perfectly.
I'll be honest, I am disappointed that in the end, nothing truly romantic developed, but I also understand it fits the narrative and the characters of the story and it was beautifully done otherwise, so I'm not even mad at it.
Because this movie has it all when it comes to showing the confusion and exploration lgbt+ youth go through whilst going through puberty and discovering relationships. In fact, it does a heck of a lot better job than other lgbt+ movies, even those that DO have romance in the end.
If I wanted someone who didn't understand what it was like to be lgbt+ to understand me, I'd show them this wonderfully made movie to express what it's like to develop homosexual desires through puberty that leads to confusing crushes on friends and feelings of jealousy and repressed love. I literally saw a younger version of myself in this movie, living the shame and repulsion again of what it was like to feel different among my peers who were going through the same journey of sexuality except mine being completely different.
Unlike Yo Adolescente, which tries to tackle the same themes of lgbt+ sexual journeys and suicidal awareness, Hjartasteinn actually does this in a real and convincing way while being captivating and on focus and never once perpetuates negative stereotypes or unhealthy views of lgbt+ youth. I'd recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good lgbt+ coming of age story or anyone such as an writer or artist who has a lgbt+ character but who isn't gay to use this as research of what the gay experience is like, because this movie shows it perfectly.