Yellow Peril: Queer Destiny
A creative exploration of the nuances that make up Queer, Chinese, Canadian Identity in Vancouver
Video
Pitch video
Synopsis
“Yellow Peril: Queer Destiny” is a short documentary that explores the nuances of Queer Chinese Canadian identity, and the geo-political, historical, sexuality, and cultural context that these intersections emerge from. How does not being “from” China, yet also being “Othered” as an “Outsider” in Canada, inform our racial and queer identities? How does this get expressed in our day to day gendered performances? The intersection of queer identity also brings forward a layer of tension that this project will also explore. The marginalization that Chinese queers face in the queer community, ranging from being “marked” as the embodiment of femininity, to the lack of representation, to sexual racism, also informs the forging of identities by queer Chinese Canadians.
The team
Here's our faaaaaabulous Love Intersections creative fam!
Production
Interview Roster
Jen Sungshine is a queer, Taiwanese artist-activist based in Vancouver, BC. Jen describes herself as a "Bad Asian" who transgresses stereotypes of Asian women alongside her queer identity. Her journey as a Taiwanese person offers a political nuance to the generalization of "Chinese people" here in Vancouver, as Taiwan continues to fight for autonomy and recognition.
Kimberley Wong is a fifth generation queer Chinese Canadian femme identified woman, whose family originally came here to build the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Her grandfathers also had to pay the deeply racist Head Tax to immigrate to Canada. Kimberley's story offers a historical context to the experiences of Chinese people here in Canada, and she talks about how that history is deeply linked to her queer identity. She also calls herself "Cantonese Rebel Girl", which brings forward more layers of cultural identity, particularly around language (and the erasure of Cantonese).
Maiden China/Kendall Yan, is a mixed race, queer, Chinese Canadian drag performer who employs Chinese theatrical costuming into her drag performances. Her striking appearance and usage of Chinese culture in her practice will bring rich imagery to the film. Kendell's experience as as mixed race person also adds a cultural nuance to the film apart from the other subjects. Part of the film will explore this experience of being "mixed", and how Kendell navigates her cultural identity, and how it impacts her artistic practice as a queer drag performer