Busan International Film Festival
Official Selection
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also known as Zhi Tong Zhi
Queer China, 'Comrade' China2008
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China's most prolific homosexual filmmaker presents a comprehensive historical account of the queer movement in modern China. QUEER CHINA, 'COMRADE' CHINA documents the changes and developments in Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender culture that have taken place in China over the last 80 years. Unlike any before, this film explores the historical milestones and ongoing advocacy efforts of the Chinese LGBT community. The film examines how shifting attitudes in law, media and education have transformed queer culture from being an unspeakable taboo to an accepted social identity. The film culminates with the submission of Dr. Li Yinhe's Same-sex Marriage Bill to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress in 2003, a major landmark event in the ongoing struggle for acceptance of queer identity in China. Directed by Cui Zi'en, China's leading queer theorist, activist and scholar, the documentary includes rarely seen footage of the first ever appearance of gays and lesbians on State television, including Cui Zi'en himself. The film features exclusive interviews with over three dozen leading queer activists, scholars and filmmakers, including Shi Tou, Li Yinhe and Zhang Yuan. The opening night film of 2009's ShanghaiPRIDE, China's first ever LGBT pride festival, QUEER CHINA, 'COMRADE' CHINA is nothing less than the most authoritative account of queer cultural history in China to date.
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1 member likes this review
A splendid, monumental documentary that is as visually exciting as it is historically provocative. Owing to my linguistic limitations and cultural ignorance, I found viewing the film difficult because, in addition to the attracting split screen presentation, several windows offering subtitles and explanatory information would all appear on the screen simultaneously. A caution then to potential viewers but no limitation in the film itself. Two or three viewings resolve even this interference.
top reviewer
Member Reviews (5)
top reviewer
A splendid, monumental documentary that is as visually exciting as it is historically provocative. Owing to my linguistic limitations and cultural ignorance, I found viewing the film difficult because, in addition to the attracting split screen presentation, several windows offering subtitles and explanatory information would all appear on the screen simultaneously. A caution then to potential viewers but no limitation in the film itself. Two or three viewings resolve even this interference.
1 member likes this review
top reviewer
Very informative...quite thoroughly explores Queer/Gay culture and its coming of age in China - mostly since the 90's . While same sex acts have been decriminalized and even marriage equality was proposed nationally since the last decade, State comfort (With homosexuality) - in China's still very "regulated" life, has come slow & somewhat awkwardly and the film follows this history most even handed - allowing you to follow along without much emotion. While this format - as I said. offers the progress with an even hand, the style does make for rather dry cinema. This is not to say the presentation is entirely void of flair - as the film maker has injected some clever methods of introducing the material & making the most of his "style". While this keeps the "Facts - just the facts, mam" documentary approach honest, I fear cinema buffs might have enjoyed a bit more blood in the veins. With that said, we still must credit the film with a rare & revealing look into a here-to-fore little explored history and respect their independence in offering us this opportunity to have such a remarkable look behind the "curtain"... GB
Very well done presentation of gay life and history in China. Fascinating to learn so much about a world we in the West know too little about.
Interesting. Fast paced, precisely edited. A view of Chinese culture in transition over some years time.
VERY INTERESTING VIEW WHICH IS NOT SO MUCH INFLUENCED BY WESTERN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL JEW-CRISTHIAM FRAME FRAMEWORK, ALSO MATCHING FREEDOM IN THE MOST HUMANS, POLITICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REAL WORLD