''Queer China, 'Comrade' China'' (), directed by
Cui Zi’en, is a 2008
independent Chinese documentary about
homosexuality in China
Homosexuality has been documented in China since ancient times. According to one study by Bret Hinsch, for some time after the fall of the Han Dynasty, homosexuality was widely accepted in China but this has been disputed. Several early Chinese ...
. The film features interviews with prominent academics and activists. Interviewees include the film's director
Cui Zi'en
Cui Zi'en (), born 1958, in Harbin in the People's Republic of China, is a film director, producer, film scholar, screenwriter, novelist and an outspoken LGBT activist based in Beijing. He graduated from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences wi ...
, actress and activist
Shitou
The Stone City () is the site of an ancient fortified city within Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. Almost all of the original city is gone; all that remains are portions of the massive city wall.
History
The original town was built during the W ...
, sociologist
Li Yinhe
Li Yinhe (; née Li Sanfan; born February 4, 1952) is a Chinese sociologist, sexologist, and activist for LGBT rights in China. Her main academic interests have been sexual norms in contemporary China, homosexuality, diverse sexual behaviors ...
and director
Zhang Yuan. It covers 80 years of evolution of Chinese attitudes on LGBTQ people, ending with the
2003 Same-sex Marriage Bill.
Film Content
Organization
The film consists of 11 "chapters" that discuss aspects and periods of homosexuality in China. Topics discussed include the decriminalization of homosexuality, its removal as a mental illness, the development of
queer theory in China, and the appearance of gays on Chinese television shows.
Interviewees
In order of appearance:
*
Li Yinhe
Li Yinhe (; née Li Sanfan; born February 4, 1952) is a Chinese sociologist, sexologist, and activist for LGBT rights in China. Her main academic interests have been sexual norms in contemporary China, homosexuality, diverse sexual behaviors ...
* Qin Shide
* Zhang Beichuan
* Fuxi
*
Shitou
The Stone City () is the site of an ancient fortified city within Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. Almost all of the original city is gone; all that remains are portions of the massive city wall.
History
The original town was built during the W ...
* Guo Xiaofei
* Tongge
*
Pan Suiming
Pan Suiming (; born 1950) is a Chinese sexologist and professor at the Renmin University of China who has taught sexology for more than 30 years. He is hailed as "the First Person in Sexology in China".
Early life
Pan was born in 1950 to an offi ...
*
Zhou Dan
* Cheng Qingsong
* Bai Yonggbin
* Zhen Li
* Zhang Yi
*
Lisa Rofel
*
Qiao Qiao
* Guo Yaqi
* Xu Bin
* Zhitong
* Binglan
* DongDong
* Xiangqi
*
Fan Popo
* Mai Kiang
*
Zhao Jing
* Gogo
*
Chung To Chung To (杜聰) is a Chinese AIDS activist, co-founder of the ''Chi Heng'' (= wisdom in action) ''Foundation'' (CHF).[Paul Crook
Paul Crook (born February 12, 1966) is an American guitarist known for his work recording and performing with Meat Loaf. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach and Marya Roxx.
Biography
Growing up in Green Brook Townshi ...]
* Huang YingYing
* Xu Gehui
* Ming Ming
* Hao Ting
* Da Wei
* Wei Jiang Jiang
* Gao Yanning
*
Zhang Yuan
* Yang Yang
*
Li Yu
* Meng Nuo
* Zhu Ri Kun
* Wang Wo
Awards, nominations, and honors
*
Pusan International Film Festival
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (''also'' Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festi ...
**Official Selection
*
24th Turino GLBT Film Festival
**Audience Award Best Documentary
*
Shanghai PRIDE
Shanghai Pride () was an annual LGBT pride event held in Shanghai, China from 2009 to 2020. It was the first and largest LGBT event to take place in mainland China.
Event history
In 2009, the event was held for the first time from 7 to 13 J ...
**Opening Night Film
*
Beijing Queer Film Festival
**Official Selection
See also
*
Recognition of same-sex unions in China
China recognizes neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions. Since 1 October 2017, couples have been able to sign guardianship agreements offering partners some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care, death and ...
*
LGBT rights in China
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the People's Republic of China face legal and social challenges that are not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex couples are unable to marry or adopt, and households headed by su ...
*
Homosexuality in China
Homosexuality has been documented in China since ancient times. According to one study by Bret Hinsch, for some time after the fall of the Han Dynasty, homosexuality was widely accepted in China but this has been disputed. Several early Chinese ...
References
External links
*
Queer China on dGenerate Films website
2008 films
Chinese documentary films
Chinese LGBT-related films
Films directed by Cui Zi'en
2000s Mandarin-language films
2008 documentary films
Chinese independent films
Documentary films about LGBT topics
2008 LGBT-related films
{{LGBT-documentary-film-stub