Moneyboys (NC)

120 mins - Austria / France / Belgium / Taiwan 2021 - Subtitles - Dir: C.B. Yi
Starring: Kai Ko, Chloe Maayan and Yufan Bai
 
Triskel Arts Centre presents in association with EAFFI Discoveries, MONEYBOYS, from Austrian-Chinese director/screenwriter C. B. Yi. This inspiring and vibrant drama of gay life in China (shot in Taiwan) follows Fei (Kai Ko), a young man from the countryside who migrates to the big city to make a living as a moneyboy – a gay male escort – sending money home to support his family. There he meets moneyboy Xiaolai (J. C. Lin) and the two begin a relationship.
 
Yi takes us along on Fei’s journey as he struggles to let go of the past and must face money and moral pressures, the repercussions of selling his body, working in the sex trade, and ‘being exposed’. He must learn how to handle all of this socially, and in personal and familial contexts. How do you sacrifice yourself and keep what you do secret for the benefit of your family? How can this bring happiness in your life?
 
Formally and poetically striking visuals, delicately composed long plan sequences, and choreographed scenes with sparse dialogue (Yi studied under the guidance of Michael Haneke at the Vienna Film Academy), all subtly infuse the emotions and feelings developing between people in this intoxicating first feature by C. B. Yi.
 
“[An] elegantly framed and affectingly played drama” Screen International
 
MONEYBOYS is screening as part of a touring programme from East Asia Film Festival Ireland