GELBOYS

Dominic Kebre

“Gelboys“ is the coming-of-age and coming-out story of four boys, Fou4Mod (New Chayapak), Chian (Pide Monthapoom), Bua (Leon Zech), and Baabin (PJ Mahidol). Longtime friendships are in jeopardy when the boys experience their first same-sex love, and although they at first come across superficial with their obsession to decorating their fingernails and online chats, deep down they are vulnerable, sensitive kids trying to find their place in life. The protagonists are no wealthy kids or princes, but average, modern boys, who use the skytrain instead of fancy cars. No other Thai director is able to describe this crucial time in gay boys’ lives as beautifully, using a language of pictures so vivid, as Boss Naruebet (“I Told Sunset About You“), who guides his lead actors to perform brilliantly. In my opinion, the cinematography is the best in any Thai series of the year, too. This is a masterpiece in every respect, once you get used to boys having their fingernails done.