Do you remember what it felt like having a crush at 12 ?

SPOILERS below.

‘My Sunshine’ is a movie that sucks you in with the premise of innocent pre-teen love, then flips you over and guts you alive by showing you the reality of a gay man in a small town in what I assume to be an 80s/90s Japan, being forced to leave his job, home and partner because of his sexual orientation.

The protagonists are a 12 year old boy and girl, as well as said figure skating trainer Arakawa. The Japanese countryside is a character all on its own.

The pacing is quite slow, sound is used in the most subtle way and the cinematography stands out by its beautiful play with natural light.

I think this story could be told as a trilogy over years, with the teenagers growing up and navigating love as they grow, while simultaneously showing how the life of their trainer further evolves.

I remember what it felt like having a crush back then, the narrative unfolds with Arakawa doing the same.