Unveiling a Spectrum of Queer Asian Narratives: Past, Present, and Future on Screen

A Glimpse into the Festival's Opening and Restored Classics

Kicking off its seventh installment at the renowned Barbican, the festival will feature the UK premiere of a meticulously restored 4K version of the 1986 Taiwanese film, The Outsiders. This groundbreaking adaptation of Pai Hsien-Yung's novel, Crystal Boys, directed by Yu Kan-Ping, will be presented with previously censored material reintegrated, offering audiences its complete, vivid portrayal. This screening sets the tone for a festival committed to preserving and celebrating queer cinematic heritage.

Diverse Selections from Across Asia

This year's program boasts an impressive array of films from various Asian countries. Highlights include Park Joon-ho's 3670, recognized as a significant piece of South Korean queer cinema, and Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke's A Useful Ghost, Thailand's international Oscar submission, which satirizes societal norms. Other notable entries are Xiaodan He's Montreal, My Beautiful, starring cinematic icon Joan Chen, Jota Mun's documentary Between Goodbyes, exploring queer adoption in South Korea, and Tracy Choi's coming-of-age drama, Girlfriends.

Exploring Modern Queer Identities and Archival Gems

The festival also showcases contemporary works like Kuo-Sin Ong's Singaporean drag comedy A Good Child, Nigel Santos' Open Endings, a drama about four queer women, and Yihwen Chen's Queer as Punk, a documentary about a Malaysian punk band led by a trans man in a region where LGBTQ+ identities face criminalization. Additionally, pioneering lesbian filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger's 1989 classic, Johanna d'Arc of Mongolia, and Rohan Kanawade’s Sundance-winning debut, Cactus Pears, are featured.

Beyond the Screen: Engagements and Industry Insights

Complementing its extensive film lineup, Queer East hosts a variety of interactive events, including discussions, workshops, live performances, and a late-night rave. A significant component is the second Queer East Industry Day at BFI Southbank, which gathers film professionals to address contemporary challenges within queer and Asian independent film production and exhibition.

Reflecting on the Vision and Evolution of Queer East

Yi Wang, the festival's program director, emphasizes the importance of looking back to understand how to move forward. He highlights the festival's focus on queer cinema heritage, bringing rarely seen and restored films from Asia to UK audiences. Wang established Queer East out of a personal desire to see more contemporary East and Southeast Asian queer cinema, noting its significant growth from a small weekend showcase to one of the largest queer Asian festivals in the UK.

Expanding Reach and Curatorial Philosophy

From its humble beginnings with about 15 films, the festival has expanded dramatically, now screening over 130 films, including more than 90 shorts, across 14 venues in London. Wang notes that despite challenges, queer cinema is thriving in various Asian countries. His curatorial vision extends beyond art-house and political films to include comedies and romances, aiming to present a more comprehensive and multi-faceted view of queerness.

Reviving Cinematic History: 35mm Prints and Audience Connection

A key aspect of Wang's curation involves screening films from the archive, including those in 35mm prints. This year, the festival features two historically significant Japanese queer films from the late 1950s and 1960s. These screenings allow younger generations to experience classic queer cinema on the big screen, fostering a connection between past depictions of queer life and contemporary audiences.

Queer East as a Catalyst for Political Dialogue and Community Building

Wang views Queer East as an inherently political event, challenging the dominant white, gay male-centric queer cinema landscape. The festival consciously includes films addressing current social issues, such as those focusing on trans communities across Asia, and actively promotes works by queer female filmmakers or about queer women. Ultimately, Queer East strives to be a community-centric event, bringing people together through shared cinematic experiences and fostering dialogue.