10s Across the Borders
This documentary packed with spectacular dance numbers explores Southeast Asia’s ballroom scene, queer joy and the discovery of chosen family.
The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore: queer ballroom dance culture is flourishing across Southeast Asia. New York, the birthplace of ballroom culture and voguing, is where role models are found and observed. Ballroom culture unites people across the borders and generations and many have found their spiritual home within it.
In Chan Sze-wei’s fly-on-the-wall documentary, the camera gracefully glides as it follows its main characters Sun, Teddy and Xyza through dancefloors and the subculture where many have found their new family, chosen fathers and mothers, when their own have rejected them. Some have an accepting mother who cooks ready meals to fuel the dancing. The documentary reveals how the pandemic affected dance culture, but how on the other hand through online events more lonely people found their way into the scene. The viewer can join the dancefloor to admire the colourful, dazzling costumes and the smooth moves of skillful dance.
The film, filled with spectacular dance numbers, is directed by Chan Sze-wei, who specialises in dance films, subcultures, and documenting the LGBTQIA+ scene.
Eija Niskanen (translated by Mira Liimatainen)
Screenings
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Kinopalatsi 5Sat 19.9. at 13.15–14.5499 min, 1/3
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Kino ReginaThu 24.9. at 17.45–19.2499 min, 2/3
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Savoy-teatteriSat 26.9. at 16.30–18.0999 min, 3/3
Trailer
