London’s QUEER EAST FILM FESTIVAL is going online this month with four documentaries that focus on queer activism, challenging norms, and the history of LGBTQ+ movements in China, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines It is putting resistance and inclusivity at the center of their Virtual Program for PRIDE Season as it brings the outside to us as we are still at home under lockdown
Docs4Pride from Queer East Film Festival launches on 3 July with four FREE-TO-STREAM documentaries shining a light on queer activism in East and Southeast Asia. Each title will be available to stream for a week at Queer East’s website (https://queereast.org.uk) and Vimeo channel (https://vimeo.com/queereast).
GET OUT: : From filmmakers S. LEO CHIANG and JOHNNY SYMONS comes the story of the plight of the LADLAD party in the Philippines, the only LGBTQ political party in the world. It seemed such a good idea. at the time, however mere passion and enthusiasm doesn’t make up for not having the strength of one’s convictions and an overwhelming desire not to upset the powerful anti-gay Catholic Church.. However it is still a fascinating story that has you wishing for a better outcome at the polls.
Berlin based filmmaker Lucie Liu debut feature documentary TAIPEILOVE* is a compelling insider’s view on the evolving LGBTQ community in Taiwan as they fight to legalize same sex marriage. It is no spoiler to add that it has a happy ending as it was widely broadcasted at the time, that thanks to the country’s remarkably supportive President, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to pass such a Law. Liu however still adds a note of caution at the end when one of the speakers at a LGBTQ victory rally reminds the crowd to always remember that this is not the end. Those forces opposed to our community will never ever give up.
You can read full reviews of both these films at http://c3f.ab6.myftpupload.com/
The other two documentaries in the program are :-
Shanghai Queer A documentary sharing collective memories of the LGBTQ+ community in the ever-changing city of Shanghai from director Xiangqi Chen
Of Love and Law An openly gay couple, Fumi and Kazu, run Japan’s first LGBTQ+ law firm. Passionately fighting for civil liberties, they represent clients who seek to challenge restrictive norms and discrimination. Through the couple’s life and ground-breaking human rights work, the film offers a snapshot of Japan’s changing and diverse society from director Hikaru Toda
QUEER EAST SCREENS GLOBALLY & FREE July 3rd - 31st https://queereast.org.uk/
Labels: 2020, asian films, film festival, Queer East
