Men and Women (1999)

"Nannan Nunu (Men and Women) is the first underground homosexual film to come out of People's Republic of China. The film was shot with non-professional actors, except for the leading actor, Qing Jie, who had previously appeared in some television films. The tempo is adjusted to that of everyday life where nothing much seems to happen on the outside. People go to work, come home exhausted, and dream of vacations. The presence of Western habits – Coca-Cola and McDonald's – is very much in evidence in this film which tries to have a documentary approach to its subject. Most of the narrative is improvisational. Liu Bingjian considered several titles for his film, favoring something that would resemble 'Toilet Literature.' The present title, which means 'Men and Women,' was chosen to make the film sound less controversial, in the event that it one day has a chance to be released in China. Nannan Nunu received the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) award for its non-conformist theme at the 1999 Locarno International Film Festival."

All Movie Guide

"This is the first movie by Liu Bingjian, who would later direct Cry Woman, and would then be forced to abandon filmmaking (according to this source). Men and Women (the original intended title was "Brilliant WC") is a typical "sixth generation" low-key urban drama, but it is also claimed to be one of the first mainland movies to address male homosexuality. (…) Banned in China for its open portrayal of homosexuality, Bingjian Liu's Men and Women is a comedy of sexual awakenings and blurred gender identity. When country boy Xiao Bo (Yo Bo) leaves his rural village and moves to Beijing, he finds both employment and living quarters with shopkeeper Mrs. Qing (Qing Yang), whose kindness extends so far as to matchmake her new tenant with her best friend Meng. But after a few dates Meng begins to suspect Xiao Bo is gay, prompting a series of unexpected revelations from both Mrs. Qing and her husband Kang (Kang Zhang)."

Cine Clásico

"Refusant toute psychologie et toute rhétorique, Liu Bingjian construit patiemment, par petites touches, des personnages en devenir, ouverts aux aléas et aux surprises de la vie. Il en résulte un tableau sans tabous et finement subversif de la société chinoise contemporaine, où l'homosexualité librement vécue (et représentée) a presque valeur de symbole. Premier film de Chine populaire issu du mouvement radical homosexuel, Nannan nünü tranche avec le sensationalisme de certaines autres productions chinoises traitant des mêmes questions avec un regard extérieur. Animé par un grand souci du détail documentaire, Liu Bingjian se fait en outre le chroniqueur attentif d'une Chine moderne et urbaine, où les modes de vie s'uniformisent à coups de verres de Coca et de sorties chez Mc Donald, et où ordinateurs et téléphones portables ponctuent désormais le quotidien. Mais la mise en scène prend le contre-pied de cette frénésie, imposant son propre rythme: face à ces mutations identitaires et sociales, Liu Bingjian prend le parti de la sobriété et de la distanciation."

Film Program

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Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7
English .srt subs