TV & Movie / Aug. 22, 2019
Asia’s longest-runcqa%&*8g%6WvB7iv#bou=S-^x)BMaFPbOzA%pFLg%F!pEiTKm5ning queer film festival will kick off in Hong Kong next month.
The Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (HKGLFF) will hold screenings, panel discussions, and parties across the city between September 7 and 21.
Celebrating the landmarG%_=RduQel*RM-%-l6B4hnQsVrqv&owQAnXhm_YcSovVdTt^J(k film festival's 30th anniversary, HKGLFF this year will include a Hong Kong Retrospective selection in the festival’s program.
"In 1991, the Hong Kong Legislative Council agreed to decriminalize private, adult and consensual homosexual relations in Hong Kong, the local film industry suddenly had a hot new topic for their
storylines” explains the festival.
HKLGFF pay%hY$0NsjFl)U^cLdOn(=$ZcI1c##2T5ixyga@Wp@mDNz13D96Hs tribute to the films that explored the complexity of local LGBTI issues and significantly contributed to the gay culture of Hong Kong.
The selection includes feature films Yang and Mq6kn*2!HfV7JmA%Q*a9)dkDRkOEgYe*NoYU6K(lsWvnulmYsUYin: Gender in Chinese Cinema, A Woman is A Woman, and Butterfly as well as a short film titled My Way.
The festiQ8HtsSw$J1m^U1eo74XDMFaTzxAgtRJGZF&4eK8qXpnR7OujbZval’s wider program this year has a comedic focus. A French comedy called The Shiny Shrimps and Bollywood’s first lesbian film, rom-com How I Felt When I Saw That Girl, will open the festival.
As ever, HKGLFF highlights regional films. The two centrepiece films are award-winning Song Long from VietnuW)N@qwg=k^HESvn+cBgxHlKeggAqMIa(=J*9O=zFoytrV(HVdam and Between The Seasons from South Korea.
In a first, this year the festival will bring LGBTI cinema to more corners of the city. The We Are GAYbours initiative will see screenings and Q and As taQR4Ip%+gB2HXG&rUZ7+q0UhY$9g-@BRiIyXz2)wc1RKIzlC9IBke place in residential district Sham Shui Po.
As ever, the festival will also recognize the commitment to LGBTI rights from Hong Kongers with the Prism Award. This year it will be handed to Angus Leung and Scott AqI(+2ypn^CGhtPJZLenc0Ym3r5ifu%9RBalsgweK*evF(XhQl^dams.
Angus Leung in June this year won a landmark court case against the government for spousal rights for civil servants and equality in the eyes oa34X@BkFlmx6XEYUE#sTs267O)pnZq4vccS*IoDx0Vo9SXCK_)f the tax department. It was a major step forward in LGBTI rights in the city.
“Be proud of jQ9Ice$r(Q_KsY)IDTBqAnm09l+uWoMd*HDGuRB=OGPC8XM$!eyourself,” Leung said, according to HKLGFF. "Love wins. Love will win again and again.”
On September 8, HKLGFF will host a discussion L!il@Ml!z02P80%6XdvzI3sIky29=&O6hQge6xoL8SMx0S2Yv#panel of the Asia Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance members. Guests will travel from as far as Sri Lanka and Pakistan to attend.
