Lihim (2021)

A hidden gem with Kaleb Ong and David Revilla

I must admit that I missed this short film when it premiered, but I am happy that I found it at last, because it is one of the most beautiful short films I have ever seen. So I call it a hidden gem, because a gem it really is!

The title ”Lihim” means ”secret”, and I won't spoil what this secret is, but I must warn you that it is so sad that it made me cry.

The movie tells the story of Kaleb (Kaleb Ong) and David (David Revilla) who bump into each other in a coffee shop, become friends, then lovers, and finally decide to spend the rest of their lives together. So far, so good, you might say. Sounds like a conventional love story, and in a way it is exactly that, but the script from Lawrence Nicodemus manages to tell the complete story of the various stages of their relationship in little more than 20 minutes.

There are several things that make this short film very worth watching. First and foremost, that's the lead actors, Kaleb Ong and David Revilla. I have been Kaleb's fan since ”Meet my Angel” where his performance would have deserved an actor's award. In the series ”Love is”, where he was also paired with David Revilla, his acting was quite restrained, but in this short film he shines brightly as he did in ”Meet my Angel”, and David Revilla is a perfect match for him. Both actors' performance, their timing and little gestures, are just on point. They actually draw the viewer into their characters' stories so that we are happy with them, fight for their love with them, and finally suffer with them.

This is a gay short film that touches the viewers' hearts because it focuses on the protagonists and does completely without the overused BL clichés like evil ex-lovers, shrieking yaoi girls, accidental kisses and so on. The only trope that is there is the bumping into each other at the beginning of the movie, but at least there is no accidental fake kiss in this scene.

There is another element that makes many Pinoy BL movies and series so worth watching, and that is the OST. There are scenes where only music plays, but it fits so well that we can imagine what Kaleb and David are saying.

The technical quality of this production is very good, too, cinematography, directing, editing, and sound are better than in most Pinoy BL productions.

To sum it up – if you are looking for a beautiful gay love story, and you have 20 minutes to spare, this is what you should watch. You won't be disappointed. But make sure you have a box of tissues in your reach. You'll need it.