“I really enjoy watching the sunset together with you. Sunset means the end of the day. I love the fact that I can be with you at the end of the day.” – quote at ending of Bagan the Beginning

I do not think there is a more treasured or fitting ending to a series than the quote above as the two men in love look out onto the beautiful sunset of Bagan, Myanmar. Many of us who live in the West hardly ever take the time to reflect on nature’s beauty and even less with the one’s we love. We are profoundly missing out on something that is given to us to enjoy for free.

It is hard to describe this series not because it is difficult to do so. It is just that sometimes words are futile or simply cannot describe the impact a story has on you. The importance of this series hits you after you have seen it. It then becomes something reflective, introspective, and oh so romantic in a quiet, impalpable fashion. Before you recognized it, you already engrossed in its existence.

This is an astonishingly deep love story that unfolds before our eyes but is done in a vailed subtle fashion. It focuses on the life-long friendship between Mani (Vita Min) and Hylan (Zaw Shine Hteh). Both young and handsome and while remaining traditional, still maintain a streak of independence. Yet, that streak of independence meets its match when it comes to the wishes and demands of the family.

Mani loves being a tour guide for the cultural sites in and around Bagan. His family wants him to become more involved in the family business. Reluctantly, he agrees but takes on one last client who is an odd individual from the United States. His name is ‘Sam’ (Min Nyein Chen) who surprisingly was born in Bagan and has decided to return for a visit to his ancestral home. His parents were murdered when he was a child, and he was adopted and brought to the United States. His real name is Walar. Walar is quixotic to say the least, ostensibly hiding something. He can speak fluent Burmese; his adoptive family taught him his native language. Walar has a boyish charm about him and a very alluring face as well as smile. On the surface, he can be quite winsome, but underneath, seemingly deeply troubled. There is just something about him that feels off. Interestingly, he has a fascination for sunrises and wants Mani to take him to various locations to see the sunrises. It does not take long for Mani to realize that Walar is falling in love with him. Obviously, Mani is not in love with him, but it does stir propensities within Mani. He finds the concept of being loved by a man alluring. Mani becomes cognizant that he is now capable of expanding his concept of love to be way more inclusive than ever before.

Both Mani and Hylan have a trans friend who comes back for a visit. Her name is Thae Paing (A Sai). She has a way of cutting through the noise and can see the bigger picture between the two of them but yet does not interfere. All she can do is provide the support and comfort to each and be essentially a counselor to both.

Unquestionably, A Sai as Thae Paing deserves the distinction of being an impactful force not only for the characters but to the series itself. She, I believe, is the first trans individual in a series from Myanmar that is not portrayed as some type of caricature. She is a pivotal and essential character in this series and without her role, this series would have lacked cohesiveness and a bridge between the understanding of these two friends of hers as lovers. She also helps Mani sort out his feelings for Walar in such a way that makes him realize that perhaps what he was feeling was not for Walar but for someone else. This is a remarkable step to take and a courageous leap to enhancing societies all over the world to see that inclusion of all into the acting profession is a must. An honorable mention must go to Min Nyein Chen as Walar. I admittedly am mesmerized by him, and I found him completely seductive and bewitching. Without giving too much away, I was thunderstruck at his performance at the end and the depth of his emotional scenes. He went from having a boyish charm to unexpected uncontrollable rage. It is a sight to behold, and it completely captured me.

For the longest time, I was not sure where the story was going. A good bit of time is devoted to the stunning beauty and sites of Bagan, which is enchanting, much like a travelogue. It indeed created a wanderlust in me to want to visit this complex country. Then suddenly, the story shifts and so much happens which I will not divulge. It is up to you to experience its impact and decide whether the ending was a fitting one. In any case, it is sad.

Yet, the story does strengthen into love. If you are expecting a physicality to that love, you will not get one. It is not needed. This series shows so well that love is dimensional. We define it and then redefine it. I have a feeling that this series, in some small way, is going to help reframe Myanmar’s own construction of what love is. The voices to that end do not have to be plangent. The love does not have to be noticeable either. It may just be the image of two young men with love in their eyes and a contentment in the knowledge that for the rest of their lives they can look at the setting sunset together, holding each other. If that does not define love, then I do not know what does.

Rating- 4.75 out of 5

Streaming on- Trust Entertainment YouTube/Facebook