Leslie Cheung & Hong Kong LGBT Cinema | Video Essay - Red Ruby Swarovski Crystals High Heels

Leslie Cheung & Hong Kong LGBT Cinema | Video Essay

10.03.2022
Accented Cinema - Episode 81 Being a multitalented artist, Leslie Cheung is loved for many reasons. His singing voice is magnetic. His acting is mesmerizing. But one thing that is often acknowledge yet under-appreciated is his queer identity. To publicly stands as a bisexual man in a gay relationship, Leslie Cheung single handedly changed LGBT perception in the entire Chinese speaking region. Today, let's take a look at Leslie Cheung's film career, and see how his popularity shaped LGBT cinema in Hong Kong.
@Jobe-13
Whoa, 90s Hong Kong LGBT films had more balls than modern American LGBT films. I had always heard of Leslie but never knew how influential he was.
@moonbug7252
Cheung's suicide note: "Depression! Many thanks to all my friends. Many thanks to Professor Felice Lieh-Mak. This year has been so tough. I can't stand it anymore. Many thanks to Tong Tong (Daffy Tong). Many thanks to my family. Many thanks to Sister Fei. In my life I have done nothing bad. Why does it have to be like this?"
@asliverofsun
“they walk out the room looking like an incel’s idea of a couple” I am CHOKING
@mitsukisan5674
The fact that his lover (Daffy) still posts pictures of him on his ig is so wholesome and heart touching.
@426mak
Bey Logan summed up people's feelings towards Leslie best: "They knew he was different, but they loved him too much to care."
@emanatingauras4017
Wow, as a young LGBT person in Hong Kong right now, I had no idea we had this extensive history of LGBT cinema. I discovered myself recently, but always thought HK was too conservative and hush-hush about gender orientation and sexuality to even begin broaching the topic with anyone outside my immediate, westernised social circle. It's so nice to learn the history of Leslie Cheung and know he was an icon for people like me.
@bradenchu
I'm a first-generation Chinese-Canadian gay man; my father grew up in Hong Kong and my mother grew up in Guangzhou but, unfortunately, I always felt uncomfortable in my culture because my parents had always made it seem like being Cantonese is mutually exclusive with being gay. Even after I came out, my parents carried on pretending like I was straight. I learned a bit about Leslie Cheung a little while after coming out, when I got curious about queer representation in my own culture -- there wasn't much I could find beyond a few articles which mainly focused on his suicide. Watching this video felt like coming home -- seeing people who shared similar experiences, pain, and joy all while speaking a language and belonging to a culture that I grew up with, it all just feels so right. I can't wait to get to watching all the films that were mentioned.
@seekittycat
His music and movies always give me strength, I love how he challenged gender roles and embraced his LGBTQ identity so openly. I admit his suicide left a shadow in me that even today I'm not completely out.
@AccentedCinema
Leslie was suffering from depression due to chemical imbalance. He was hesitant to take medication, which was a big factor behind his passing. If you are facing difficulty, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
@crimsonfirewill3717
I am getting Heart broken everytime the passing of Leslie is brought up because to me he Is alive in films and music. His performance as Kit in A Better Tomorrow grabbed my attention and from that I watched both Happy Together an Farewell my Concubine, the later of which has become my favorite movie of all time. As a gay man finding media that represents mys struggles is Kind Of Hard as most of it Is made with the broader straight audience in mind and thus can fall into stereotypes and not expand beyond that. But people like Leslie brought that nuance that was what I believe a step forward. I was actually very excited when you announced this video as this channel helped me Explore Chinese language cinema and probably the reason why I considered watching Farewell my Concubine was bc of yours and Xiran's recommendation, to which I thank you a lot. Keep up the Great work and thank you again For covering this topic. Really appreciated!
@kweassa6204
Also known as "Zhang Guoying" in Mandarin, as he was more commonly known back then, he was a HUGE star in Asia back in the day that could handle both commercial flicks and arthouse films. One of the "Trinity" of male stars -- Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, and himself. A heart-throb to young women fans of Asia, a bad-ass for the male fans who idolized the 'bros' in John Woo movies. His performance in "Bawangbieji" was, I'd dare say, immortal. I still remember the day when I heard of his suicide and it sent shockwaves through the region. RIP Cheung.
@SkitHertz
I'm so happy to see Twilight's Kiss get the attention it deserves! Not only does it depict LGBT relationships in the Chinese-speaking Asian context, it also focuses on older men instead of just celebrating youth and the energy that comes with it. It's really unique and important in that sense.

張國榮 Leslie Cheung【紅】跨越97演唱會


@cielo_ciel_
The cinematography of this live recording is actually mind-blowing. It almost has a Wong Kar-wai styling to complement the mood of the performance, instead of just capturing the star of the show in focu






HK Sheung Wan Po Yan Street shop art gallery Para Site Art Space June-2013 高跟鞋 Red Shoes Leslie Cheung


Leslie Cheung’s life, work on display in Hong Kong: red high heels, white feather suit worn in 1997 and 2000 concerts to be exhibited for 1st time
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...h-heels-white-feather-suit-worn-1997-and-2000