02-05-2023, 11:10 PM
Film Title: Blue Rings
Language: Eirian
Run Time: 2 Hours, 17 Minutes
Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Lead Performance(For James Judins), Best Supporting Performance (For Anita Ozola), Best Music
Starring:
James Judins as Edward "Eddie" Marin
Charlie Amankē as Peter Deksnis
Anita Ozola as Amalie Richard
Jeanne Leclerć as Helene Fortin
Abigail Ozola as Amalie Deksnis-Marin
Director: Juliette Atcerē
Synopsis:
The movie opens with aggressive and fast orchestral cues as a young man runs down a street, his face barely visible in the nighttime air. The words "Monterre Province,1927" flash along the screen as the musical intro fades into the sound of thundering footsteps. The young man looks frantically over his shoulder as numerous figures emerge from the shadows, shouting obscenities towards him. He dodges through alleyways in order to avoid his pursuers, taking cover in a Unitist church. He begs a nearby priest to help him and lock the door, to which he quickly does.
The priest gives the young man some water and sits with him in a church pew, kindly listening to the exhausted teen's story. After some prodding, he introduces himself as Edward Marin, a nineteen year old local. He tearfully recounts being cast out by his family, having nowhere left to go, and being chased by a gang of boys (neglecting to say the reason for any of this). The priest seems to understand, cautiously telling Marin that he knows a safe haven for him, and that he must rest here for the night. The next morning, Marin and the priest are standing on a small train platform, watching a train slowly come to a stop in front of them. A hesitant Marin fidgets with a ticket, thanking the priest for his help before slowly boarding the train.
Marin disembarks the train at a small, decrepit station labeled "Kōr dei Lira." Following a dirt road, he makes his way into a small town, catching strange and pitiful looks from locals. He is flagged down by a woman, who invites him inside her small home. She introduces herself as Amalie, and offers him a bed in her small spare room. He's extremely hesitant about this offer, until Amalie explains that Kōr dei Lira is a safe place called a Kejuceda, and that she lived with her longtime partner Helene. She says that when she came to the town, someone helped her and gave her shelter, so she wanted to do the same for other outcasts like her.
Marin is shocked and extremely touched by her kindness, breaking down crying while alone in his new bed. Over the next few days, he remains quiet and withdrawn, nervously interacting with the locals as he tries to get on his feet. Amalie helps him get a job in one of the community's farms, where he works diligently, but quietly, not participating in the games and jokes that the other workers invite him to join. Instead, in his free time, he joins Helene in her small clothing shop, and she teaches him how to sew, make, and repair clothes. He gradually appears more at ease, however he still rarely interacts with anyone outside of Helene or Amalie.
At the start of his third week in Kōr dei Lira, the town is bustling with excitement as the next day was Eiria's Unity Day. Amalie and Helene pester Edward to come and join the festivities, talking him into attending a party at the town's bar. The pair spring into action to try to find an outfit for their "debutante," deciding on a sleek blue Halar robe. Edward decides to put his own touch on the outfit, sewing a green vidukjost (Waist sash/belt) to go with the robe.
The next day, the town is out in full force, singing in the town square during the day and filing into the town’s tavern as the daylight fades. Edward cautiously attends, standing on the sidelines until he gets caught in the crowd and ends up with a microphone in his hand and all eyes on him. In a moment of inspiration, he sings a beautiful rendition of Mōs Zaunana Breilsei (“They Call Us Brothers”), earning a standing ovation. While recovering from his performance, he runs into Peter Deksnis, a handsome lad who works on the same farm that Edward does. The pair end up sitting down and talking for the rest of the night, and Marin goes home contentedly.
The following days are seen in glimpses. Peter helps Edward open up and socialize with his coworkers, bringing him into their joking banter. Edward’s new sewing skills end up coming in handy, as Peter’s clothes are constantly torn and tattered. The pair are practically inseparable, much to the delight of Amalie and Helene. One night, Peter knocks on Edward’s window, convincing the latter to follow him. He brings him to a beautiful clearing in the woods, spreading a blanket on the ground so the pair can gaze at the moon and stars. During this touching moment, Peter kisses Edward, leaving him speechless. The pair spent the night together under the stars.
A few days later, Kōr dei Lira is once again bustling, this time with anxiety. Rumors had spread that a nearby Kejuceda was stormed and razed by an angry mob. Peter tells Edward of a protest that he and a few other of the town’s citizens had planned in Kolēnceda, the provincial capital. Edward is extremely nervous about this, and begs Peter not to go. Peter refuses, and so Marin insists on going with him instead. The next day, their group of protesters boards a train to Monterre’s capital.
Upon arriving in Kolēnceda, they find the city in chaos. Rioters and protestors fill the streets, fighting for a large range of conflicting issues. The group from Kōr dei Lira slowly makes their way to the Provincial Senate Building, where they set up a small camp on the granite steps. They pass out signs advocating for marriage equality, and to emphasize their goal, they erect a flagpole and wave two flags; two blue rings and two purple rings, the symbols for gay and lesbian civil unions in other provinces. As counter-protesters and other groups swarm around them, they hold their ground, setting up a makeshift barricade to protect themselves from both fellow protestors and the police force stationed at the Senate building.
Unfortunately, a group of rioters break through the police wall, and they barge into the building, prompting large amounts of police to pour in from around the area. The peaceful barricade is overrun, and Peter is struck by a police baton and arrested. Edward runs towards him, but takes a hit himself and falls, dazed. He sees glimpses of Amalie carrying him from the chaos and running back into the crowd, before blacking out.
The scene cuts to a few months later, in a Kōlenceda police department. Edward waits nervously, constantly checking the clock in the corner of the room, before an exhausted Peter is led out by a police officer. The pair embrace, and Edward leads his partner out of the station, filling him in on what he missed. The barricade had been stormed, and everyone was forced to flee back into the streets of Kōlenceda. Unfortunately, Amalie had been killed while trying to save the injured from being trampled. This information sobers the pair up, and they walk towards a nearby train station in silence.
The perspective shifts one more time, to a sunny spring day years in the future. An older Edward kneels by a headstone bearing Amalie's name, placing flowers on the grave before wiping a tear and walking away. Beneath the cemetery gates, Peter stood with a young girl, waiting for Edward. The pair kiss, and Edward picks up their daughter (named Amalie, in honor of his friend and mentor). The three of them leave together, leaving the dark past behind in favor of a peaceful, happy future.
Some additional background: While the story of Edward and Peter is fictional, much of the film is based on real events. Eiria was heavily divided in the 1920s, and protests and rioting were widespread. Monterre Province, often heavily influenced by its large Catholic minority, was the last province in Eiria in which same-sex civil unions were illegal. As such, gay relationships were heavily stigmatized, leading to the formations of multiple Kejucedasei (Gay towns). Kōr dei Lira was a real Kejuceda in Monterre, and its citizens were often on the forefront of protests for Gay Rights in the province. One of these citizens, Anna Zvirbule, served as a loose inspiration for the character Amalie Richard. In Kōr dei Lira today, there is a memorial to peaceful protestors, like Zvirbule, who died in the 1928 Kōlenceda Riots.
Director Juliette Atcerē is perhaps more famous for her shorter films, having won two AFKE Awards for her films Blue and Red and Glass Sands. This film is James Judins' premier on the big screen, as he has been more prevalent on the Eirian theatrical scene. Charlie Amankē and Juliette Leclerć have also been more prominent on stage, the latter most notable for her titular role in the breakout musical Alouette. Anita Ozola is perhaps the most established on screen, having played Julia in the hit TV show Deskwork Although this cast is, for the most part, new to the movie scene, their talents are displayed clearly in their performance.
Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: Blue Rings is nominated for its poignant and beautiful portrayal of the struggle for LGBT+ marriage rights in certain parts of Eiria. James Judins demonstrates his fantastic range of talents and emotion, and Anita Ozola's performance has been described as "the best depiction of a mentor archetype in a decade." The film also pays significant homage to the time period, using certain 1920s orchestral motifs, as well as utilizing certain songs that originated in Kejucedasei (most notably "They Call Us Brothers," sung by James Judins). Overall, the film is a beautiful and artistic rendition of parts of Eirian history that often goes unmentioned today.
Language: Eirian
Run Time: 2 Hours, 17 Minutes
Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Lead Performance(For James Judins), Best Supporting Performance (For Anita Ozola), Best Music
Starring:
James Judins as Edward "Eddie" Marin
Charlie Amankē as Peter Deksnis
Anita Ozola as Amalie Richard
Jeanne Leclerć as Helene Fortin
Abigail Ozola as Amalie Deksnis-Marin
Director: Juliette Atcerē
Synopsis:
The movie opens with aggressive and fast orchestral cues as a young man runs down a street, his face barely visible in the nighttime air. The words "Monterre Province,1927" flash along the screen as the musical intro fades into the sound of thundering footsteps. The young man looks frantically over his shoulder as numerous figures emerge from the shadows, shouting obscenities towards him. He dodges through alleyways in order to avoid his pursuers, taking cover in a Unitist church. He begs a nearby priest to help him and lock the door, to which he quickly does.
The priest gives the young man some water and sits with him in a church pew, kindly listening to the exhausted teen's story. After some prodding, he introduces himself as Edward Marin, a nineteen year old local. He tearfully recounts being cast out by his family, having nowhere left to go, and being chased by a gang of boys (neglecting to say the reason for any of this). The priest seems to understand, cautiously telling Marin that he knows a safe haven for him, and that he must rest here for the night. The next morning, Marin and the priest are standing on a small train platform, watching a train slowly come to a stop in front of them. A hesitant Marin fidgets with a ticket, thanking the priest for his help before slowly boarding the train.
Marin disembarks the train at a small, decrepit station labeled "Kōr dei Lira." Following a dirt road, he makes his way into a small town, catching strange and pitiful looks from locals. He is flagged down by a woman, who invites him inside her small home. She introduces herself as Amalie, and offers him a bed in her small spare room. He's extremely hesitant about this offer, until Amalie explains that Kōr dei Lira is a safe place called a Kejuceda, and that she lived with her longtime partner Helene. She says that when she came to the town, someone helped her and gave her shelter, so she wanted to do the same for other outcasts like her.
Marin is shocked and extremely touched by her kindness, breaking down crying while alone in his new bed. Over the next few days, he remains quiet and withdrawn, nervously interacting with the locals as he tries to get on his feet. Amalie helps him get a job in one of the community's farms, where he works diligently, but quietly, not participating in the games and jokes that the other workers invite him to join. Instead, in his free time, he joins Helene in her small clothing shop, and she teaches him how to sew, make, and repair clothes. He gradually appears more at ease, however he still rarely interacts with anyone outside of Helene or Amalie.
At the start of his third week in Kōr dei Lira, the town is bustling with excitement as the next day was Eiria's Unity Day. Amalie and Helene pester Edward to come and join the festivities, talking him into attending a party at the town's bar. The pair spring into action to try to find an outfit for their "debutante," deciding on a sleek blue Halar robe. Edward decides to put his own touch on the outfit, sewing a green vidukjost (Waist sash/belt) to go with the robe.
The next day, the town is out in full force, singing in the town square during the day and filing into the town’s tavern as the daylight fades. Edward cautiously attends, standing on the sidelines until he gets caught in the crowd and ends up with a microphone in his hand and all eyes on him. In a moment of inspiration, he sings a beautiful rendition of Mōs Zaunana Breilsei (“They Call Us Brothers”), earning a standing ovation. While recovering from his performance, he runs into Peter Deksnis, a handsome lad who works on the same farm that Edward does. The pair end up sitting down and talking for the rest of the night, and Marin goes home contentedly.
The following days are seen in glimpses. Peter helps Edward open up and socialize with his coworkers, bringing him into their joking banter. Edward’s new sewing skills end up coming in handy, as Peter’s clothes are constantly torn and tattered. The pair are practically inseparable, much to the delight of Amalie and Helene. One night, Peter knocks on Edward’s window, convincing the latter to follow him. He brings him to a beautiful clearing in the woods, spreading a blanket on the ground so the pair can gaze at the moon and stars. During this touching moment, Peter kisses Edward, leaving him speechless. The pair spent the night together under the stars.
A few days later, Kōr dei Lira is once again bustling, this time with anxiety. Rumors had spread that a nearby Kejuceda was stormed and razed by an angry mob. Peter tells Edward of a protest that he and a few other of the town’s citizens had planned in Kolēnceda, the provincial capital. Edward is extremely nervous about this, and begs Peter not to go. Peter refuses, and so Marin insists on going with him instead. The next day, their group of protesters boards a train to Monterre’s capital.
Upon arriving in Kolēnceda, they find the city in chaos. Rioters and protestors fill the streets, fighting for a large range of conflicting issues. The group from Kōr dei Lira slowly makes their way to the Provincial Senate Building, where they set up a small camp on the granite steps. They pass out signs advocating for marriage equality, and to emphasize their goal, they erect a flagpole and wave two flags; two blue rings and two purple rings, the symbols for gay and lesbian civil unions in other provinces. As counter-protesters and other groups swarm around them, they hold their ground, setting up a makeshift barricade to protect themselves from both fellow protestors and the police force stationed at the Senate building.
Unfortunately, a group of rioters break through the police wall, and they barge into the building, prompting large amounts of police to pour in from around the area. The peaceful barricade is overrun, and Peter is struck by a police baton and arrested. Edward runs towards him, but takes a hit himself and falls, dazed. He sees glimpses of Amalie carrying him from the chaos and running back into the crowd, before blacking out.
The scene cuts to a few months later, in a Kōlenceda police department. Edward waits nervously, constantly checking the clock in the corner of the room, before an exhausted Peter is led out by a police officer. The pair embrace, and Edward leads his partner out of the station, filling him in on what he missed. The barricade had been stormed, and everyone was forced to flee back into the streets of Kōlenceda. Unfortunately, Amalie had been killed while trying to save the injured from being trampled. This information sobers the pair up, and they walk towards a nearby train station in silence.
The perspective shifts one more time, to a sunny spring day years in the future. An older Edward kneels by a headstone bearing Amalie's name, placing flowers on the grave before wiping a tear and walking away. Beneath the cemetery gates, Peter stood with a young girl, waiting for Edward. The pair kiss, and Edward picks up their daughter (named Amalie, in honor of his friend and mentor). The three of them leave together, leaving the dark past behind in favor of a peaceful, happy future.
Some additional background: While the story of Edward and Peter is fictional, much of the film is based on real events. Eiria was heavily divided in the 1920s, and protests and rioting were widespread. Monterre Province, often heavily influenced by its large Catholic minority, was the last province in Eiria in which same-sex civil unions were illegal. As such, gay relationships were heavily stigmatized, leading to the formations of multiple Kejucedasei (Gay towns). Kōr dei Lira was a real Kejuceda in Monterre, and its citizens were often on the forefront of protests for Gay Rights in the province. One of these citizens, Anna Zvirbule, served as a loose inspiration for the character Amalie Richard. In Kōr dei Lira today, there is a memorial to peaceful protestors, like Zvirbule, who died in the 1928 Kōlenceda Riots.
Director Juliette Atcerē is perhaps more famous for her shorter films, having won two AFKE Awards for her films Blue and Red and Glass Sands. This film is James Judins' premier on the big screen, as he has been more prevalent on the Eirian theatrical scene. Charlie Amankē and Juliette Leclerć have also been more prominent on stage, the latter most notable for her titular role in the breakout musical Alouette. Anita Ozola is perhaps the most established on screen, having played Julia in the hit TV show Deskwork Although this cast is, for the most part, new to the movie scene, their talents are displayed clearly in their performance.
Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: Blue Rings is nominated for its poignant and beautiful portrayal of the struggle for LGBT+ marriage rights in certain parts of Eiria. James Judins demonstrates his fantastic range of talents and emotion, and Anita Ozola's performance has been described as "the best depiction of a mentor archetype in a decade." The film also pays significant homage to the time period, using certain 1920s orchestral motifs, as well as utilizing certain songs that originated in Kejucedasei (most notably "They Call Us Brothers," sung by James Judins). Overall, the film is a beautiful and artistic rendition of parts of Eirian history that often goes unmentioned today.
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