Leslie Cheung in Happy Together, plus 6 other Asian movies celebrating LGBT romance
Social stigmas and cultural taboos mean that LGBT characters in Asian cinema are scarce, but there are some beautiful films that do explore same-sex relationships – and here’s the list
While Hollywood has blockbuster queer films Brokeback Mountain (2005), Moonlight (2016) and Call Me By Your Name (2017), social stigmas and cultural taboos mean that LGBTQ+ characters in Asian cinema are scarce. However, several filmmakers have made equally beautiful films celebrating LGBTQ+ characters around Asia.
Happy Together – Hong Kong (1997)
Notably the most-acclaimed gay Asian film, Happy Together is the brainchild of Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai. Shot in Argentina and Taiwan, the movie follows Yiu-Fai (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and Po-Wing (Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing) who plan to rekindle their romance in South America, but quickly realise their relationship is drifting apart. Its bittersweet realism and heartfelt character studies ensured the film of a Palme d'Or nod and best director award for Wai at Cannes Film Festival.
Arisan! – Indonesia (2003)
Nia Dinata’s Arisan! arrived during Indonesia’s post-New Order regime and enjoyed immense success at the box office and award ceremonies back at home. The only Indonesian film to ever feature a same-sex kiss on the screen is a satirical comedy circling around the well-heeled society in Jakarta and their urbane dilemmas. Our lead is Sakti (Tora Sudiro) a young architect who has difficulty coming to terms with his sexuality, but manages to find acceptance from his gal pals and his partner. The sequel, Arisan! 2, was released in 2011.
Fire – India (1996)
Back when Bollywood was loaded with scripts involving class differences and doppelgänger drama, Deepa Mehta’s Fire came as a novelty, undertaking the first lesbian relationship in mainstream Indian cinema. Loosely based on Ismat Chugtai’s Lihaaf, the film stars veteran actress Shabana Azmi and art-house darling Nandita Das as two women who find solace with each other after their husbands abandon them. The film’s release prompted protests from Hindu extremists that was countered by immense support from Indian filmmakers and the praise of critics.
The Handmaiden – South Korea (2016)