Author: Naomi Lawrence
Source: Star Observer

Imagine a weekend movie marathon that feels like uncovering secret treasures, each film a whispered confession in a language both foreign and achingly familiar. That’s exactly what Sydney’s Art Gallery of NSW is gifting us from September 13 to November 1 with “Focus on Queer 中文 Cinema,” a brilliant program showcasing queer Chinese-language films from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the broader diaspora.

Not your typical movie night

This isn’t just cinema; it’s a kaleidoscope of hidden desires, cultural specificity, and tender defiance. From psychedelic shape-shifting seductresses (hello, Maggie Cheung in Green Snake) to the wistful 90’s nostalgia of Wong Kar-wai’s Happy Together, each film is a bite-sized revelation of queer storytelling, served with a side of intimacy and a dash of cultural spice.

Mixing languages, feelings, and revolutionary whispers

Diverse tongues like Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hokkien weave through the narratives, proving queerness isn’t just a theme but a sonic tapestry of longing and resilience. It’s like hearing love’s secret code spoken in a dialect only the heart can fully understand.

“Focus on Queer 中文 Cinema” is not just a film series; it’s a cultural conversation piece, a cinematic family gathering that includes underground clubbing documentaries pulsating with joy and survival, and experimental works that challenge the norms of storytelling itself.

So if you’re in Sydney and craving cinema that’s as playful as it is poignant, marking your calendar for this series might just be the queer cultural recharge you’ve been waiting for.

For bookings and more juicy details, check out the Art Gallery of NSW.

Read the full article