Homosexuality in HK/kung fu movies

[grim_tales]

I was just watching The Prodigal Son (Bey's commentary actually), and in some reviews I've read Lam Ching Ying's character is described as a "gay opera performer" or something like that, and the HK trailer says he is "the object of male desires in his female roles at the opera". Of course, all the women's parts there were played by men.
In the dub he gets a voice which is as camp as scouts (the whole thing is hilarious), it got me thinking:
1) Was it really written like that to be camp or just the British dubbers messing about?
2) What is the attitude in the industry towards gay men/women then and now?
3) What about people like Leslie Cheung who, even though he was gay was able to play gay/straight roles equally well?

Discuss
I think its about time we had a mass debate (sorry ) in the Asian forum.

[bradavon]

Moving to the debate forum. Move it back if you disagree

The thread looks to be about debating homosexuality in HK/kung fu movies and not about HK/Kung fu movies.

[grim_tales]

OK you have a point, its' more about an issue (though does involve HK movies obviously) so perhaps should be here

[Markgway]

I was just watching The Prodigal Son, and in some reviews I've read Lam Ching Ying's character is described as a "gay opera performer" or something like that

I'm not sure if it's ever specified, but the implication is that he might be gay. He seems to have no family and is never seen with a woman. By contrast his brother, Sammo, is a masculine figure, with an adult daughter.

In the dub he gets a voice which is as camp as scouts (the whole thing is hilarious), it got me thinking: 1) Was it really written like that to be camp or just the British dubbers messing about?

Probably both. Most dubs sound very camp by my reckoning anyways so it's hard to tell...

2) What is the attitude in the industry towards gay men/women then and now?

Better now than then I expect.

3) What about people like Leslie Cheung who, even though he was gay was able to play gay/straight roles equally well?

Leslie didn't come out of the closet until after he was a star AFAIK. Whether it would have made a difference if it had been known from the beginning is anyone's guess? Leslie was a fine actor who could play most anything. Being gay never hindered his screen persona.

[grim_tales]

I agree about Leslie, you are right in saying what a great actor he was
LCY is definitely a feminine figure in the film, on the other hand I dont think one should always equate "campness" with homosexuality.

[Markgway]

II dont think one should always equate "campness" with homosexuality.

Right, I mean, look at Matthew Kelly....

[grim_tales]

And the opposite is true also, look at that guy from Westlife (I think) who came out the other day (I hate Worstlife BTW ) and the guy who won the first Pop Idol (he didnt come out until after he won it).

You may be right about how LCY is implied, what with always playing a female role in the opera

[Markgway]

I thought all Westshite were gay!?!

[grim_tales]

LOL maybe they are, I dont know
Interesting he only comes out now Westlife arent recording and have no publicity isnt it...?

[donnarose]

It surprises me how often actors and actresses in Asian films play gays roles. I don't see that in US films. Perhaps I just don't see enough to have an accurate view. My best friend is a gay man and we've talked about this often. How I wish he'd watch "Happy Together" or "Farewell My Concubine". Tony Leung, Leslie Chung, even Brigette Lin as Asia in the Jet Li film I simply cannot remember the name of this morning. Very good performances, good stories (well at least for the first 2 films!), strong characters. Granted, these are only a few films, but from these it seems to me homosexuality is more accepted and causes less of a knee-jerk reaction in HK films. I was surprised when Jackie Chan and his costar in "the Medallion" had that innocent dialogue full of mixed messages in the squad room, leaving the other officers raising their eyebrows and smirking. Never expected Hollywood to allow that. I think HK films show a more realistic portrayal of gays, perhaps because of the long history of Peking Opera.

[grim_tales]

Maybe your thinking of Shaolin Temple (for the movie with Jet Li?)