When it comes to China, the discourse surrounding queer identities – like many other issues – can be placed in a gray area, on the fragile border with taboo. However, cinema is perhaps the most powerful visual medium for better understanding certain dynamics that are too often subject to useless labels and dichotomous discussions. For this reason, I have selected 12 works – including narrative feature films and documentaries – that explore and reflect on intimate queer representation. The list is presented in chronological order and includes titles from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
1. Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972) Chor Yuan
“Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan” is a 1972 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chor Yuen, known for its blend of elements from martial arts and erotica. The protagonist, Ai Nu (Lily Ho), is sold to a brothel at the young age of 18. She quickly becomes the favorite of the brothel's owner,...
1. Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972) Chor Yuan
“Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan” is a 1972 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chor Yuen, known for its blend of elements from martial arts and erotica. The protagonist, Ai Nu (Lily Ho), is sold to a brothel at the young age of 18. She quickly becomes the favorite of the brothel's owner,...
- 2/22/2024
- by Siria Falleroni
- AsianMoviePulse
A film to be remembered in 1997 is "East Palace, West Palace", China's much-celebrated and controversial consideration for Un Certain Regard.
Zhang Yuan directs a powerful chamber piece about the life of a young homosexual in Beijing who is picked up by police for unlawful conduct in the park surrounding the Forbidden Palace. A reference to the two public toilets flanking the palace, the film's title comes from Chinese argot of the gay community in Beijing.
The entire movie takes place in the park, and most of the drama is staged during one night of interrogation at the park police headquarters. With this claustrophobic setting, Zhang keeps a captive audience bound by a tense rope braided with power and sexual desire. During his interrogation, A-Lan, the cheeky writer who is repeatedly caught in the park at night, provisionally escapes via memory to the locales of his childhood only to return to the reality of his arrest. This staging and technique make the viewer a voyeur, held hostage by the desire to see this film to its end.
The inevitable power struggle between the jailer and the jailed that follows the arrest is anything but predictable. A-Lan is enamored with his captor, who is fascinated by him. With sadomasochistic tendencies and perhaps suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome in Beijing, A-Lan proclaims his love for the policeman. The homophobic officer, wonderfully portrayed by Hu Jun, embarks on a voyeuristic venture via his interrogation of A-Lan, played by an impressive Si Han. The ambiguity of what occurs between them is what will make this movie one of the most talked-about films of the year.
From a country not generally renowned in the West for either its technological or cultural contributions to modern civilization, China has reluctantly (it refused to allow the director to attend the festival) produced a work that is both. Though a delicate and difficult subject to address, the film is a pleasure to see. Production values are high throughout. For this reason alone, it should be received well in the West.
Besides Zhang's direction, the visual beauty of the film benefited from the hands of director of photography Zhang Jian and art director An Bing. The screenplay, which is so good that it has already been adapted to the stage, was written by Yuan and Wang Xiabo. Editor Vincent Levy could undoubtedly market his skills anywhere.
East Palace, West Palace
Un Certain Regard
Amazon Entertainment Ltd.
and Fortissimo Film Sales Present
A Quelqu'un d'Autre Production
Director Zhang Yuan
Producers Zhang Yuan, Christophe Jung, Christophe Menager
Executive producer Willy Tsao
Associate producer Zhang Yukang
Director of photography Zhang Jian
Screenplay Zhang Yuan, Wang Xiaobo
Music Xiang Min
Art director An Bing
Sound Wu Gang, Shen Jianqin
Editor Vincent Levy
Cast:
A-Lan Si Han
Policeman Hu Jun...
Zhang Yuan directs a powerful chamber piece about the life of a young homosexual in Beijing who is picked up by police for unlawful conduct in the park surrounding the Forbidden Palace. A reference to the two public toilets flanking the palace, the film's title comes from Chinese argot of the gay community in Beijing.
The entire movie takes place in the park, and most of the drama is staged during one night of interrogation at the park police headquarters. With this claustrophobic setting, Zhang keeps a captive audience bound by a tense rope braided with power and sexual desire. During his interrogation, A-Lan, the cheeky writer who is repeatedly caught in the park at night, provisionally escapes via memory to the locales of his childhood only to return to the reality of his arrest. This staging and technique make the viewer a voyeur, held hostage by the desire to see this film to its end.
The inevitable power struggle between the jailer and the jailed that follows the arrest is anything but predictable. A-Lan is enamored with his captor, who is fascinated by him. With sadomasochistic tendencies and perhaps suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome in Beijing, A-Lan proclaims his love for the policeman. The homophobic officer, wonderfully portrayed by Hu Jun, embarks on a voyeuristic venture via his interrogation of A-Lan, played by an impressive Si Han. The ambiguity of what occurs between them is what will make this movie one of the most talked-about films of the year.
From a country not generally renowned in the West for either its technological or cultural contributions to modern civilization, China has reluctantly (it refused to allow the director to attend the festival) produced a work that is both. Though a delicate and difficult subject to address, the film is a pleasure to see. Production values are high throughout. For this reason alone, it should be received well in the West.
Besides Zhang's direction, the visual beauty of the film benefited from the hands of director of photography Zhang Jian and art director An Bing. The screenplay, which is so good that it has already been adapted to the stage, was written by Yuan and Wang Xiabo. Editor Vincent Levy could undoubtedly market his skills anywhere.
East Palace, West Palace
Un Certain Regard
Amazon Entertainment Ltd.
and Fortissimo Film Sales Present
A Quelqu'un d'Autre Production
Director Zhang Yuan
Producers Zhang Yuan, Christophe Jung, Christophe Menager
Executive producer Willy Tsao
Associate producer Zhang Yukang
Director of photography Zhang Jian
Screenplay Zhang Yuan, Wang Xiaobo
Music Xiang Min
Art director An Bing
Sound Wu Gang, Shen Jianqin
Editor Vincent Levy
Cast:
A-Lan Si Han
Policeman Hu Jun...
- 5/13/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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