Wondering Whats Ahead in ‘The Forest Ends At The Sea’

GL Recaps Taiwan

2023-12-25
14:46

Time changes everything, and it seems it has also taken over the lives of two young women and their relationship. Read BLtai’s recap of ‘The Forest Ends At The Sea‘, a short Taiwanese lesbian film, here.

Ji Xian and Liang You are on a road trip. They hold hands and listen to good music, telling each other that they are meant for each other.

The first time they met was when the two of them were hiking. Liang You was going down from the mountain and saw the young Ji Xian (even clad in her school uniform) sitting on a rock. She paused for a bit and went to her, offering water. Ji Xian was surprised that somebody actually stopped to talk to her. As they were talking, Ji Xian admitted to Liang You that she actually sprained her foot while walking, so now she’s having a hard time going back. Liang You helped her go down and asked her why was she wearing a uniform. Ji Xian said that she suddenly had the urge to climb the mountain in the morning so she skipped class and went straight there. Liang You laughed and said that she actually thought Ji Xian was a ghost because she was just sitting down on the rock. The two laugh together as they go down.

Once they were back down and seated on the bus, the two asked for each other’s social media accounts, wanting to keep in touch. Liang You mentioned the band that Ji Xian liked, Theseus, and the two bond over the band and its music. They even share earphones as they listen to the band’s music. Ji Xian rests her head on Liang You’s shoulder, igniting the start of a romantic relationship. The two spend more time together, sharing music, experiences, and memories. After watching a Theseus video, Ji Xian asks Liang You what she thinks it will look like once she’s married. Liang You said that she never really thought about it, while Ji Xian says that she just wants to get everyone’s blessings in front of her favorite band (relatable tbh). Liang You laughs and asks why she relates everything to her favorite band, but Ji Xian says that is what she thinks is romantic. This is why she hopes that Liang You will like her favorite band along with her until the day they get married. Ji Xian sings the band’s song for Liang You (albeit badly) but the lovestruck Liang You stares in awe at her girlfriend.

Watch ‘The Forest Ends At The Sea’ on GagaOOLala.

The two are now living together, with only a year left before Ji Xian graduates. They promise each other that they will go to Fuji Rock, a concert festival, together. Liang You says that if she graduates, she will treat her to all expenses for the concert.

Meanwhile, they go back hiking together. Ji Xian asks Liang You if they can send each other messages while they are hiking. As there are no signals in the mountains, she says that it would just be interesting to send messages and see if they will get it or not. Liang You laughs and says no matter what, she will ask her to show her the message anyway. The two climb up, making more memories and enjoying the beauty of the sunset, not fully knowing what could lie ahead in their lives.

Time, however, is not too kind. Reality comes creeping in and the two spend less time together. It starts with Liang You missing a concert that they have planned to go to, and then it becomes less and less because of work. They also ended up not being able to go to Fuji Rock because Liang You said she was too busy because of work. The two begin to fight because they refuse to communicate, and end up just shouting at each other. Their relationship could not stand the test of time, and they went their separate ways.

Liang You, together with a male friend, Wei Jun, goes back to the mountain where she first met Ji Xian. She has been in Tokyo for a while because of her work. She remembers when she first saw her there, and memories of her come flooding back when her friend even asked her if she was going to see the 10-year anniversary concert of Theseus. Liang You ponders that thought, and the thought comes back when the radio plays a Theseus song with the reminder that the band is going to be in Tokyo, where she is currently. She calls Ji Xian because she suddenly misses her, but they are not able to talk about anything at all. They both hang up, with Liang You thinking of their fond memories together.

She sobs uncontrollably.

Liang You goes back to the mountain, and she finally sends the message to her ex-girlfriend, telling her everything she wants to say.

Theseus’ 10th-anniversary concert comes up. Of course, Ji Xian will go to her favorite band’s concert, bringing a male friend with her. She meets another male friend, his girlfriend…. and also Liang You. The two are surprised upon seeing each other, and the awkwardness is obvious, but then their mutual friend cuts the awkwardness and they all share a laugh. They go in and enjoy the concert together. But in the middle of the set, the band introduces a friend who wanted to say something to his special someone, and it turned out to be Wei Jun! He proposes to his girlfriend during the set, talking about the ups and downs of their relationship. His girlfriend says yes to the romantic proposal.

Liang You and Ji Xian look at each other, knowing full well it was Ji Xian’s dream proposal. They smile, a smile filled with regret and promises.

Writer’s thoughts:

Although the short film had an open ending, it was a good conclusion to the whole story. Ji Xian and Liang You’s problems are probably deeply-rooted, but it seems that they still very much care about each other, which leads me to think that they can have another chance again. Sometimes, time is just mean to people, and you have to learn how to adjust if you want to save any relationship. This short film is filled with great music, impeccable chemistry from both leads and just enough angst. Highly recommended!

Watch ‘The Forest Ends At The Sea’ on GagaOOLala.

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