I suddenly cannot remember when was the last movie I watched that had me smiling in tears. It wasn't what I had expected but it was definitely way better. Bangkok Love Story is a gay drama comprising of a mixture of action, romance and crime altogether along with a moving soundtrack. It has been rated R21 for the apparent 'homosexual sex scenes' but other than seeing the two actors kissing and all, most of it was cut. At one point whereby the cut was quite abrupt, most of the people in the cinema was like... "ALAMAK!" and it was funny because we just said it out loud followed by some half hearted "shhh..." and then laughter from everybody. It was funny really. Beautifully made and all so human, there wasn't a very happy ending but I guess it is one of those movies that can make the audience sigh, smile, cringe and tear but leave the cinema with a good feeling nevertheless. The abrupt cut was annoying however otherwise it was all good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Love_Story

Released in the year 2006 (in May I suppose), this film by Ken Loach went on to win the award for the Best Film during the Cannes Festival in the same year it was released. Set in the 1920s of Ireland, this film talks about Ireland's fight for freedom.

Damien joined his brother, Teddy, in the resistance group that Teddy was leading against the British Occupation. When the peace treaty was agreed and signed, the brothers found themselves divided over very different opinions about what they have been fighting for. Teddy supported the peace treaty and was involved in organising the Irish Free State while Damien insisted that the peace treaty wasn't what he was fighting for as it will only change the colour of the flag. Hence the outbreak of the war. The ending will leave one pondering with a heavy heart but the whole film shows the brutality of the British during the occupation.

I watched this when I was over in Belfast and I will watch it again very soon when it opens here in Singapore. Though I think this film may leave viewers without much knowledge of Irish history puzzled, it is worth watching. Loach is a brilliant British director who doesn't believe in going out for the 'benefit of the poor benighted natives and brought them the Bible and British virtues’. I like him, he is a good guy.

Also, do check out the Irish accent. It is hot. :p

http://thewindthatshakesthebarley.co.uk/
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=8973
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460989/