Puhleez help us oh Lord! Not only must we fight the homophobic world at large, we have to be wary of homophobia in the guise of gay films! “Taboo” is just one such film. Luring us with its brilliant cinematography, costuming, set design, superb acting (for all except the lead); it’s ending leaves us with the message tht homosexuals must be murdered because they disturb society’s equilibrium. Hayuvn’t we hayud enough of this?

The year is 1865 - the location is Kyoto, Japan - and the scene is a samurai training school where new recruits are being tested with their fencing skills. These samurai warriors are to keep peace in a Kyoto which is being sorely tested by revolutionaries against the Shogunate.

The Shinsen-gumi is run by strict rules which hang over the fencing room where the transfixingly sensuous, champion fencer Kano Sozaburo (Ryuhei Matsuda in his acting debut - and y’all can tell) is matched with Tashiro (Tadanobu Asano), a low-ranking samurai. The whole room is entranced by Kano’s beauty which could only be described as feminine. The men realize that Kano has homosexual tendencies and lieutenant Toshizo Hijikata ( “Beat” Takeshi Kitano) is convinced that Kano and Tashiro are having an affair.

In truth Kano has resisted Tashiro’s charms but the sexual tension between the two men is palpable throughout the film. Kano actually does have an affair with Tojiro Yuzawa (Tomorowo Taguchi) whose murder throws the samurai warriors into crises mode. The leaders try to get Kano to have sex with a geisha, but the attempt fails. A series of incidents ensue that lead to a major crises with the military unit.

And thusly, this film continues the dark era theatrical message that homosexuals must be miserable and/or die by the end of the play. The gripping and superb - yet extremely homophobic film - “The Children’s Hour” is the perfect example of such a message; however, it was not targeted as a release for the gay community. Watch “Taboo” and tell me if you agree.