39/45
Angie and Pat have been together for over four decades, but after Pat’s unexpected death, Angie finds herself at the mercy of Pat’s family as she struggles to preserve her dignity and the home they had shared for over thirty years. years. Whenever I talk about my reasoning for making the art I do, I always say that the goal is to make people feel seen, by telling stories that resonate so deeply with other people that it lights something up inside. This is 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 just by the synopsis of "All Shall Be Well," a film about Angie and Pat, a 60-year-old lesbian couple in Hong Kong who have built a life of memories together, supported by friends and family. The plot takes a sudden turn when Pat unexpectedly dies, leaving Angie legally and financially unprotected, especially in a place where their union is not recognized. However, the film’s exploration of the complexities of unrecognized same-sex unions, combined with the harsh realities of aging and loss, quickly drew me in. This film explains why the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. . Sometimes, living in my carefully crafted bubble, I forget that. I might briefly think, “Things can’t be that bad, can they?” But then reality hits, and this film brings the house down. It shows how difficult things still are for many queer people, and my heart breaks for Angie over and over again. It’s a brutal reminder that so many LGBTQ+ people are still dealing with this reality and will likely continue to do so for a long time to come. There’s also something about the way the film captures family dynamics that reminds me a lot of “How to Make a Million Before Grandma Dies.” The focus on family and relationships felt really authentic and added another layer to why this film felt so real and moving. This cultural lens was so effective that I found myself comparing the film to “The Happiest Season”; a lesbian rom-com from 2020. Despite their different genres and themes, both films focus on a lesbian couple and included family as a major role, illustrating the distinct dynamics of Asian families compared to their Western counterparts. It’s a heartbreaking but necessary watch.