Queer & Trans Negativity Screening: Lan Yu with Director Q&A

The Jackman Humanities Institute Working Group on Queer & Trans Negativity presented a screening of Lan Yu (2001), directed by Stanley Kwan. The event featured opening remarks by Bliss Cua Lim, followed by a virtual Q&A with Stanley Kwan moderated by Karen Ren.

According to the synopsis (from Golden Scene Cinema), the film followed Handong, whose relationship—initially intended as a casual diversion—with a sensitive college student unexpectedly developed into something deeper and life-changing. Despite Handong’s compulsive promiscuity and impulsive marriage, Lan Yu’s devotion unfolded within a poignant and unforgiving trajectory. Superbly acted by Hu Jun and Liu Ye, Stanley Kwan’s adaptation of an internet novel offered a moving portrait of a gay relationship shaped by passion and deception, yearning and regret.

The screening took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Innis Town Hall at Innis College, University of Toronto. The event was free to attend, with registration required in advance.

The event was sponsored by the Jackman Humanities Institute, the Cinema Studies Institute, the Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, and the Dr. David Chu Program in Asia Pacific Studies.

Innis Town Hall served as an accessible venue, and attendees were encouraged to contact the event organizers in advance for accessibility accommodations as needed.