About
Lovers is an art project documenting conversion “therapy” for homosexuality in China, initiated by artist Wu Laobai and queer police officer Lin He.
Synopsis
Collaborating with several equality advocacy groups, psychological counselors, and related professionals in China, they distilled three key messages based on the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders, 3rd Edition (CCMD-3) and the statements of the World Health Organization. These messages were printed on three red trucks.
Starting from Shanghai, they toured six cities before arriving in Beijing, where they covertly investigated nine institutions confirmed to be conducting conversion “therapy.”
This short film documents the discriminatory remarks made by psychological counselors and psychiatrists in China, as well as the challenges faced during the execution of the project. At the same time, the film invites viewers to consider how we can form connections and take action within limited spaces.
About the Director
Wu Laobai is an artist living in the Pearl River Delta region of China. He focuses on inequality in urban-rural development, particularly the rights and experiences of marginalized groups such as rural migrant workers and sexual minorities. His practice responds to these challenging issues through art actions, social participation, film, and interdisciplinary collaborations, seeking to change the status quo.
Film Information
- Director: Wu Laobai
- Language: Mandarin with English subtitles
- Details: letterboxd.com/film/lovers-2024
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