Jongno has been a haven for queer life in Seoul since the 1980s. Five gay men navigate both personal and collective challenges in the vibrant neighbourhood:  Aspiring director Joon-moon faces barriers in making gay movies, while activist Byoung-gwon opposes discrimination against minorities in the workplace; Young-soo searches for belonging in the gay choir G-Voice and Yol dreams of the day he and his partner can have a legal wedding and overcome the prejudice against AIDS. Filming them is director Hyuk-sang, whose friendship with the men prompts him to reflect on his own gay identity. A humorous and poignant portrait of enduring queer solidarity, the film construes “coming out” as proudly carving out your own space in a conservative society.

Content Note: Homophobia, discussions of death

Queer East is a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, moving image work and live arts from, and about, East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.