Men and Women (1999 film)

Men and Women is a 1999 Chinese comedy-drama film directed by Liu Bingjian. The film was co-written by Cui Zi'en, one of the few openly gay writers in China. Cui also has a cameo-role in the film, as the host of an underground radio show.

One of China's few films touching on LGBT-films, Men and Women was cast with openly gay actors. Unlike earlier films like Zhang Yuan's East Palace, West Palace, Men and Women focused on the daily lives of its characters, rather than their underground existence in Chinese society.

The film won a FIPRESCI award at the 1999 Locarno International Film Festival.

Plot
Men and Women follows the travels of a young homosexual man, Xiao Bo, who goes to Beijing in search of a job. There he is taken in by Qing Jie, who not only gives him a home in her apartment, but also a job in her clothing store. While she tries to set Xiao Bo with her friend A Meng, Xiao Bo resists and eventually moves out when he is assaulted by Qing Jie's husband. He moves in with his friend, Chong Chong, with whom a romantic relationship is kindled.

Qing Jie, meanwhile, discovers that she may have feelings for A Meng, and decides to leave her husband.

Cast

 * Yu Bo as Xiao Bo
 * Yang Qing as Qing Jie, the cast's only professional actor (Yang had previously acted in Chinese television), Yang plays Qing Jie, who befriends Xiao Bo and gives him both a place to stay and a job at her clothing store.