Pride 2024: BL Shows & Films From Around Giving A Glimpse of Queer Love In Their Nation

BL Shows: Boy Love or BL shows has been revolutionising in changing the narrative of representation for the queer community in different parts of the world. While BL as a genre is recognised and popularised in the South Asian film and TV industry, all gay love stories or shows can be clubbed in this term. For your pride watchlist give these BLs from around the world.  

Bad Buddy 

A beginner-friendly, romantic comedy BL show from Thailand. ‘Bad Buddy’ for a fair share of love, fight, laughter and tears. Pat and Pran are two sworn enemies because their family has told them so. The forced proximity in a school project however pushes them to realise each other’s friendship that blooms into love hidden from their friends and society who still think they hate each other. But what will happen when everyone finds out about their secret affair? Find out in the series on YouTube available for free. 

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Young Royals

The complications of queer identity multiply many folds when the prince of Sweden falls in love with an ordinary person from the school who also happens to be a boy. Wille is the crown prince prepared to shoulder the responsibility of the throne which actually suffocates him and Simon is his fellow classmate in the elite school. The realisation of Wille’s sexuality is a liberation brought by Simon, but now the two have to face the world as young royal gay couples. 

Watch it on Netflix to be a part of their journey. 

Your Name Engraved Herein 

Keep your tissue handy for this one. A Taiwanese BL set in 1987 amidst the backdrop of the ending of martial law in Taiwan Birdy and A-Han fall in love. Plagued by the evils of homophobia and changing social realities for queer and cis-het couples, the movie will you in a wreck of tears as you witness the self-doubt, hurt, and love of the two young people in love letting go of their love due to the culture of homophobia. 

Here I Come 

A Russian gay series produced at the time of Russia’s ‘anti-gay propoganda’ law, it holds a poignant place in not just Russian cinema but also the world history of the LGBTQ community. 

Set amidst the bleak backdrop of Russia’s homophobic law, the series is however a glimmer of sunlight celebrating acceptance and friendship. It follows an Armenian student raising his sexual identity, accepting it, and moving on with it, meeting the people he likes and loves along the way. 

Watch it on YouTube. 

Cobalt Blue 

India is not far behind in accepting and portraying the stories of the LGBTQ community. ‘Cobalt Blue’ by Sachin Kundalkar is a Netflix series inspired by the book of the same name by the same maker. Two siblings, a boy and a girl living under orthodoxy and restrictions fall in love with the same man- their enigmatic house guest. 

This by no means is an exhaustive list but a mere exploration into the diverse portrayal of gay love in different parts of the world.