Since 1996 when East Palace, West Palace was the first Mainland Chinese movie with an explicitly homosexual theme was released, there have been very few films to follow its lead. Like with MONEYBOYS it is deemed too unsafe to make Chinese queer film actually in situ, so filmmakers such as Taiwan/Austrian C.B. Yi use Taiwan as a stand-in location,
Technically its not illegal to be gay in China but the authorities ……. and society make it all almost impossible. The Chinese LGBTQ community not only faces legal and social challenges that are not experienced by non-LGBT residents, but there are also no anti-discrimination protections that exist for LGBT people. It, therefore, raises the level of importance of queer films that do get made as they can help us experience what living is really like for gay people living in such an authoritarian culture.
C.B. Yi’s film shines a light on the less explored area of LGBTQIA+ issues in China which may surprise much of his audience. This is a love story set against a background of survival which for many young men …… gay and straight ……is hustling. It gives these boys born in rural villages a way out of the basic poverty-stricken their families lead.
It all starts with Fei (Kai Ko) an illegal hustler who sends the bulk of his money back to his family just so they can survive in a rural village, Although it is impossible for him to be open with them about either his job or his homosexuality they gladly depend on his money.
This however is about to change when one of Fei’s clients pushes things too far, his overprotective boyfriend Xiaolai (JC Lin) steps in with violent results. To avoid the law, Fei leaves Xiaolai and moves to another city. On a surprise visit home his hypocritical family who have guessed his sexuality which they abhor even though they know that couldn’t survive financially without the money, he makes from hustling.
When Long (Bai Yufan), a childhood friend from his village, expresses his intention of joining Fei in the city and eventually becomes a moneyboy too, it soon becomes apparent that he has another motive too. He is falling for Fei at the same time that a reconnection with Xiaolai sparks a series of conflicting emotions.
C.B. Yi’s film, which incidentally has some stunning cinematography, strikes a fine balance about how these two young men seek to follow their heart’s desire with the reality of having sex for money with a string of old ‘straight’ men. Being a hustler in the city may not be a desirable lifestyle, but we are also very much aware that trying to be true to one’s self is an impossibility as a gay man in a remote rural community.
This is a movie made with passion about passion and may appear not fully rounded by some western eyes, but the acting of the three charismatic leads, make it such a joy to watch. Plus it. captures a slice of Chinese queer life that we so need to see and hear more.
P.S. Moneyboys premiered at Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival and was about to screen at the Palm Springs Film Fest this month but that has sadly been canceled. Follow TOTEM FILMS to see where it will be screened next near you
