The Old Testament

A daring and seminal work of Chinese queer cinema, 'The Old Testament' (*Jiu yue*, 2001) weaves three poignant vignettes that explore love, loss, and oppression under the shadow of communist China. Directed by renowned queer activist and filmmaker Cui Zi En, the film uses biblical titles—'Song of Solomon', 'Proverbs', and 'Psalms'—to frame its raw, intimate stories. In the first segment, a stable gay couple’s life is upended when an ex-lover arrives, ill with AIDS, forcing them to confront sacrifice and the fragility of their bond. The second follows a married bisexual man torn between his wife and his male lover, asking who is truly worth the fight. The final story denounces familial intolerance as a heterosexual couple plots to thwart the younger brother’s homosexual rendezvous. Shot with a low-budget, avant-garde sensibility and featuring a Greek-style chorus that delivers moral commentary, this film is a rare, unflinching look at the intersections of sexuality, religion, and politics in early 2000s China. A must-see for those who appreciate bold, thought-provoking LGBTQ+ cinema.