LGBTIQ+ Series: ‘N00b’ and ‘Black Fruit’

Set in 2005 in a small town in New Zealand, N00b tells the story of Nikau, the most popular teenager at his high school, whose world collapses when his gay fanfiction is made public and people begin to question his sexuality. Forced to come out, Nikau loses his place on the rugby team, is ignored by all his former friends, and seeks refuge in the new world the Internet offers him.

In the vein of recent series like Impostura (Overcompensating) or iconic titles like Popular, N00b emerges as the queer teen comedy of the season, combining sexual and irreverent humor with carefree pop nostalgia: from MySpace to MTV, or from Paris Hilton to Jersey Shore. It was one of the major sensations at the latest Cannes Series edition.

Meanwhile, Black Fruit is set in the city of Hamburg and follows the daily life of Lalo, a young man whose life is falling apart: his father has just passed away, he is in a toxic relationship with his white boyfriend, and he cannot control his most impulsive decisions. His best friend, Karla, also queer and of African descent like him, has just been promoted at her job in a major multinational company (to the resentment of her colleagues) and has to deal with her sister’s problems.

In the spirit of shows like Looking or Insecure, the series stands out as one of the LGTBIQ+ titles of the season. A dramedy about modern queer life and the pretentiousness of the art world, with strong doses of ironic humor. The series stood out in festivals such as Tribeca and Courts d’un soir in Montreal.