Out, loud and proud
Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Nov 19-Dec 1, various cinemas
Screenings start this year with French film Man at Bath. Directed by Christophe Honore and filmed in New York and on the outskirts of Paris, the drama paints a picture of homosexual desire that one critic called 'part personal chant d'amour, part the [pornographic] doodlings of a horny teenager'. Francois Sagat plays Emmanuel, whose boyfriend leaves him. Also showing that night is Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are Alright (pictured), an American film about two children of a lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore), who bring their biological father into their home. The New York Times critic A.O. Scott called the movie's performances 'all close to perfect'. Other festival highlights include Howl, about the trial of Allen Ginsberg (James Franco), and Fit, on the theme of homophobic bullying.
Anthems Asia Live Nov 20, AsiaWorld-Arena
Headlining acts for the eight-hour spectacular include US dance circuit DJ Kristine W. and Danny Bond (left) from Britain's Bassmonkeys. They will be supported by local artists, including Kitty Fung and girl group Hollywood Road, along with Ricci Chan from the Philippines and Singapore's Andy Josh Lim. Club Anthems Asia, the debut Volume Up record, features 23 original tracks by gay artists from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. Shuttle buses will run to and from AsiaWorld-Arena from 9pm to 2am on the night. They leave from Volume, at 83-85 Hollywood Road, and from the HMV store at 28 Hankow Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Mr Gay Hong Kong Finale Nov 26, Hyde, 2-3/F Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Six young men will compete for the title of Mr Gay Hong Kong and the chance to represent the city at Mr Gay World in Manila next year. The 2009 winner, 33-year-old Rick Twombley (second from left), did Hong Kong proud at the international finals in Oslo in February, placing third overall and winning the award for best national costume. The 2010 contestants will be introduced to the public on October 29 at Simplicity's regular Pink Friday cocktail. The boys will continue promotion for the pageant with a bar tour on November 12 starting at Club 97. At the finale, voting will be open to the public. The bilingual event will be hosted by actor Simon Yin and HK Magazine columnist Johannes Pong.
