This magnificent 3-part series is practically perfect in every way. The writing is of the highest standard, the cinematography is superb, the directing is skilful, the all-round storytelling is truly top-notch, and the performances are extraordinary - in particular the lead role played by a supremely talented young actor named Callum Booth-Ford. His performance was so ultra-real, so confident and assured, so intelligent, so nuanced, so truthful that I actually had to check early in the first episode to see if they'd been cowardly and cast a girl in the role. To their credit they hadn't. They cast a young boy in a complex role that required not only immense self-confidence and supreme acting chops to pull-off, but also a willingness to risk much of the same ignorance, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness in his real life as was being experienced by the character he portrayed. And I'm not just talking about potential bullying from other children - though we all know how cruel and despicable they can be. But also by unenlightened adults, well-meaning or otherwise, or might seek to "protect" him when actually they'd be doing harm.
One of the very few aspects of the modern world that can be regarded as an improvement is the fact that young people in films, TV, and theatre are occasionally allowed to portray all their complex, three-dimensional reality, even if that reality is scary or disturbing for some adults. Back in the early 80's when I was a preteen, I would not have been allowed to play a gay character, or a trans character, or even a cross-dressing character, and I would not have been allowed to see such characters portrayed by others. I wasn't even allowed to be gay or bisexual myself. It was illegal for my teachers to acknowledge that such people even existed, let alone help us through our self-discovery, confusion, and angst. There wasn't even the suggestion that polysexual or non-binary people or lifestyles existed. The world has moved on, thankfully.
So I am overjoyed to see such intelligent, well-made dramas being produced, not as propaganda, or education, but as entertainment for ALL to enjoy, in a free-thinking world where people of all types and persuasions can be represented in a non-fearful way; openly, without shame, and without judgement.
The world has moved on. Not soon enough, not far enough, and not fast enough. But we're getting there. The more "normal" people are given the opportunity to expose themselves to lives and lifestyles that to them are "atypical", the better chance they have to break down their own ignorance and prejudices before they become damaging, and to embrace and explore a wider and more tolerant world. Enlightenment is free and available to anyone willing to let it in. All they have to do is be open to it. And to have available such works of literature, drama, music, and any other art form that can illustrate, elucidate, and inform them. An exquisite drama like Butterfly is most definitely a large step in the right direction. More, more, more!
One of the very few aspects of the modern world that can be regarded as an improvement is the fact that young people in films, TV, and theatre are occasionally allowed to portray all their complex, three-dimensional reality, even if that reality is scary or disturbing for some adults. Back in the early 80's when I was a preteen, I would not have been allowed to play a gay character, or a trans character, or even a cross-dressing character, and I would not have been allowed to see such characters portrayed by others. I wasn't even allowed to be gay or bisexual myself. It was illegal for my teachers to acknowledge that such people even existed, let alone help us through our self-discovery, confusion, and angst. There wasn't even the suggestion that polysexual or non-binary people or lifestyles existed. The world has moved on, thankfully.
So I am overjoyed to see such intelligent, well-made dramas being produced, not as propaganda, or education, but as entertainment for ALL to enjoy, in a free-thinking world where people of all types and persuasions can be represented in a non-fearful way; openly, without shame, and without judgement.
The world has moved on. Not soon enough, not far enough, and not fast enough. But we're getting there. The more "normal" people are given the opportunity to expose themselves to lives and lifestyles that to them are "atypical", the better chance they have to break down their own ignorance and prejudices before they become damaging, and to embrace and explore a wider and more tolerant world. Enlightenment is free and available to anyone willing to let it in. All they have to do is be open to it. And to have available such works of literature, drama, music, and any other art form that can illustrate, elucidate, and inform them. An exquisite drama like Butterfly is most definitely a large step in the right direction. More, more, more!
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