While Taiwan’s recent legalisation of same-sex marriage shows that some parts of Asia may be on a path to greater inclusivity, we still have a long way to go in terms of legislation, and many LGBTQ+ people continue to suffer from discrimination.
But when it comes to cinema, some Asian creators have decided to explore gender and sexuality, transcend societal perceptions or even raise awareness of the struggles within the LGBTQ+ community through their artistic expression.
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Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai get cosy in iconic LGBTQ+ film Happy Together. Photo: SCMP Archive
Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai get cosy in iconic LGBTQ+ film Happy Together. Photo: SCMP Archive
Let’s celebrate Pride Month in Asia by checking out six of our favourite regional queer films.
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Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)
In the 1980s when martial law was ending in Taiwan, two male students – Jia Han (played by Edward Chen) and Wang Bo-to, aka Birdy (portrayed by Tseng Jing-hua) – fall in love while dealing with family pressure, homophobia and social stigma. The film went on to receive five Golden Horse Award nominations and became the highest-grossing LGBTQ+ film in Taiwan’s history. It was a great tribute to Taiwan’s legalisation of same-sex marriage, which happened less than a year before the film’s release.
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Dear Ex (2018)
This Taiwanese comedy-drama stars Song Cheng-xi (played by Joseph Huang), a teenager caught in a complicated feud with his mother, Hsieh (played by Liu San-lian), and his deceased father’s former lover, Jay (played by Roy Chiu). Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions as the characters navigate the struggles of motherhood, grief and relationships.
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Happy Together (1997)
Wong Kar-wai’s Happy Together is probably the most well-known Asian LGBTQ+ movie on this list. The film stars the late Cantonese singer Leslie Cheung, who was an icon in the Asian LGBTQ+ community. Happy Together follows the turbulent relationship between Ho Po-wing (Cheung) and Lai Yiu-fai (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), and their visit to Buenos Aires in search of the Iguazu Falls. The cinematography is what you would expect from a Wong Kar-wai film: dreamy and colourful.
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The Handmaiden (2016)
The Handmaiden is helmed by South Korean director Park Chan-wook, whose name you might recognise from his work on other legendary films including Oldboy, Lady Vengeance and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. The plot is based on a novel called Fingersmith written by British author Sarah Waters. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, a con man under the alias “Count Fujiwara” hires a pickpocket named Sock-hee to help him seduce a wealthy Japanese heiress. As the story unfolds, you’ll start to realise that nothing is quite what it seems.
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Suk Suk (2019)
Unlike most LGBTQ+ films that feature a young protagonist struggling with their identity, Suk Suk centres around the lives of two elderly men. Pak, a 70-year-old taxi driver, and Hoi, a 65-year-old single father, have spent their lives hiding their sexualities from their respective families. The film reflects on the societal pressures that queer individuals have to face in Asian societies, which often results in them having to hide their authentic selves to avoid scrutiny.
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The Wedding Banquet (1993)
The Wedding Banquet director Ang Lee is also known for directing another prominent LGBTQ+ film, Brokeback Mountain, which won an Oscar for best director. However, his experience directing LGBTQ+ films actually began with The Wedding Banquet, a film that stars Taiwanese actor Winston Chao. The film follows a bisexual Taiwanese male immigrant living in Manhattan, who marries a Chinese woman to get her a green card and to hide his relationship with his gay partner from his family.
Looking for some queer movies to add to your watch-list? Here are some classics that are always worth checking out.
Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)
In the 1980s when martial law was ending in Taiwan, two students – Jia Han (played by Edward Chen) and Wang Bo-to, aka Birdy (portrayed by Tseng Jing-hua) – fall in love while dealing with family pressure, homophobia and social stigma.
Watch the trailer
Dear Ex (2018)
This comedy-drama stars Song Cheng-xi (played by Joseph Huang), a teenager caught in a complicated feud between his mother, Hsieh (played by Liu San-lian), and his deceased father’s former lover, Jay (played by Roy Chiu).
Watch the trailer
Happy Together (1997)
Wong Kar-wai’s Happy Together stars Leslie Cheung. The story follows the turbulent relationship between Ho Po-wing (Cheung) and Lai Yiu-fai (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), and their visit to Buenos Aires in search of the Iguazu Falls.
Watch the trailer
The Handmaiden (2016)
Directed by Park Chan-wook, this is an adapation of a novel called Fingersmith that was written by Sarah Waters. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, a con man under the alias Count Fujiwara hires a pickpocket named Sock-hee to help him seduce a wealthy Japanese heiress - but nothing is quite what it seems.
Watch the trailer
Suk Suk (2019)
Suk Suk centres around the lives of two older men - Pak, a 70-year-old taxi driver, and Hoi, a 65-year-old single father - both men have spent their lives hiding their sexualities from their respective families. The film reflects on the societal pressures that queer individuals have to face in Asian societies, which often results in them having to hide their authentic selves to avoid scrutiny.
Watch the trailer
The Wedding Banquet (1993)
Directed by Ang Lee, The Wedding Banquet stars Winston Chao. The film follows a Taiwanese guy who is living in the US. To conceal his sexuality from his family, he embarks on an elaborate plan - with unexpected results.
Watch the trailer
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