The film also just won Best Picture at this year's Aspen Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Gradually Ing'er senses the growing intimacy between both men as Shaodung loiters around Lin Chung's dressing room night after night. Meantime, Lin Chung's also being courted by the local bigshot who forces him out each night for dinner and then sleeps with him. Shaodung and Lin Chung battle for the freedom to love one another against social prohibition, family obligation and Mr. Bigshot's attention. Within two days the husband tries to rape Xiao Bo, who responds by taking refuge in the apartment of his gay friend, Chong Chong, who lives with a drag queen.
Lesbians do get to play, albeit with discretion, in three strong movies.
The film depicts the pleasure of lost love in the face of spontaneous burning desire. The two women kiss and consummate, but then go their separate ways as the more reluctant Shian decides to rekindle her former relationship. It's a sharp, touchy-feely little number that I could have watched more of. It's a chick flick for the new world of Asian sexual cinema. It's a compact effort, though it's somewhat superficial narrative may ultimately be a metaphor for Japan's listless youth rather than a forceful examination of sexual identity.