Jiang Zhi's adventure with transsexuals began after he overheard a friend
talking about a local bar with drag queen performers.
His curiosity roused, he checked it out and met his muses - the beautiful
singing and dancing cross-dresser, Ping'er, and her friends Xiang Xiang and
Teresa, who all play major roles in the film.
Physically, these men are arguably more stunning and feminine than your average
woman.
They primp, carry make-up kits and worry about their skin and weight. By day
they look like ordinary women; by night they become sensual stage goddesses.
Ping'er and friends are so convincing as women that in the film one of them has
an affair with an unsuspecting straight male.
While they haven't undergone any sex change operations and are viewed by
society as homosexual males playing dress up in women's clothing, Xiang Xiang,
Ping'er and Teresa see themselves as fully feminine, straight women.
Jiang Zhi chose to film the men who are women both on and off stage because
they are the ones who suffer the most intolerance.
Jiang Zhi's message is simple: "I hope his film will change people's attitudes
towards these young men. Ideally this film will show that they are beautiful,
feminine and ordinary people with hopes and dreams. I also hope my film will
help people to understand and create a place for them in society."
Compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors, she-males and flamboyant drag queens
are a rarity in China.
