michellekiara

"The Concierge" introduces us to Akino, the new concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store, where all the customers are animals. It's a relatively short film, just over an hour, but its simplicity is part of its charm. The movie is vibrant, uplifting, and so beautifully made that it whisked me back to the joyous days of my childhood, watching "Spirited Away" or the first time.

What really captivated me was the movie's unique art style-the characters are depicted in the crisp, clean lines typical of anime, while the backgrounds are rendered in a sketchy, colored pencil style, adding a cozy and heartwarming touch to the visual experience.

As the credits rolled, I found myself wishing I could linger a little longer in the department store, eager to see what other adventures-or chaos-unfolded next.

Whenever I talk about my reasoning for making the art that I do, I always say that the goal is to make people feel seen, telling stories that resonate so deeply with other people they light up something inside. That's the kind of art that has always moved me, made me feel understood, and inspired me to create the same for others. Watching "All Shall Be Well" hit me with that rush of connection.

Last Monday, I walked into the theater, intrigued only by the synopsis of "All Shall Be Well," a film about Angie and Pat, a butch/femme lesbian couple in their 60s from Hong Kong who have built a lifetime of memories together, supported by friends and family. The plot takes a sudden turn when Pat unexpectedly passes away, leaving Angie unprotected legally and financially, especially in a place where their union goes unrecognized.

Initially, I was skeptical, tired of narratives where lesbian characters face tragic ends. However, the film's deep dive into the complexities of unrecognized same-sex unions, paired with the raw realities of aging and loss, swiftly pulled me in.

This movie cuts deep into why the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. Sometimes, living in my carefully created bubble, I forget that. I might briefly think, "Things aren't that bad, right?" But then reality hits, and this film slams that home. It shows just how tough things still are for a lot of queer people, and my heart broke over and over for Angie. It's a brutal reminder that so so many LGBTQ+ people still face this reality and will continue to for probably a long time.

There's also something in how the film captures family dynamics, reminding me a lot of "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies". The focus on family and relationships felt really authentic and added another layer to why this film felt so real and touching. This cultural lens was so effective that I found myself comparing the film to "Happiest Season," a 2020 lesbian rom-com. Despite the different genres and themes, both films center on a lesbian couple and included family as a significant role, illustrating the distinct dynamics of Asian families compared to their Western counterparts.

It is a heartbreaking but necessary watch.