“It’s one thing to love a child, but it’s an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved.”

I was instantly drawn to this by the stunning cover and comparison to Moonlight. It’s a poignant coming of age and doesn’t shy away from the horrific homophobic bullying, banishment from your own family, and the reprehensible enforcement of the criminalization of same-sex relationships in Nigeria. Yet, there are slivers of hope to be found. Obiefunda’s sense of freedom and joy when he dances, his complicated love for his mother, his innocent love for his fellow boys, and the perseverance of the queer community even in the face of so much tragedy and horror. I was surprised by how short this was and though the brief glimpses into Obiefunda’s and his mother’s lives felt realistic, I think this easily could’ve been longer so some scenes could be a little more fleshed out.