Adonis, aka Thirty Years of Adonis
Scud’s seventh film, which travelled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand for filming, interprets the themes of death and life, predestination, pleasure and desire, which are always seen in his works, through the Tibetan Buddhist concept of life, with tolerance and freedom.
Yang Ke (Adonis He), a Beijing Opera actor, is fatefully driven into the underworld of masculine sex workers, and becomes a class of his own. He finds himself on a roller coaster between heavenly love with both men and women, and a living hell ensnared by devious villains and hypocrites. Despite his faith, endeavor and willingness to give, he remains a prisoner to his karma. Hell awaits when heaven seems near, and the ultimate truth is revealed only in a heartbreaking moment from which there is no return – he falls into a trap where he is gang-raped by thirty people, and in the midst of untold agony, he reflects on his life, and then speeds up to his fateful end, sending out a final cry to his arranged partner. The film features legendary actresses Susan Shaw and Nora Miao in key roles, and GV actor Eric East his maidan appearance on cinema.
Running Time: 97mins
Written, produced and directed by SCUD
Cinematography by Nathan Wong (HKSC)/ Production Design by Irving Cheung/ Music by Ho Shan/ Edited by Nose Chan
Main Cast
Adonis He/ Susan Shaw/ Nora Miao/ Justin Lim/ Eric East/ Amanda Lee/ Ting Yu Sheng/ Ceci Li/ Daniel Benjamin/ Jerry Hoh
- 53rd International Film Festival Rotterdam – Official Selection and Focus Director
- 29thHong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival – Official Selection
- qFLIX Worcester New England’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2018
“Venture with unparalleled grace, sadness and torment into the realms of desire, dreams and broken hearts in Scud’s Thirty Years of Adonis. A space where human emotions, both vulnerable and raw, are laid naked.
Adonis, a young actor at the Beijing Opera dreaming of stardom and a love that transcends the oceans of time, leaves everything behind and exposes himself to a whole new experience. In his late twenties, he yearns to explore new meaning in his life through the world of the male sex industry. And so he surrenders himself, to daydreams and nightmares alike.
Known for his unflinching exploration of complex themes, Scud continues to push the boundaries of the ways to explore art, raw forms of sexuality and perverse desires, to probe identity and society. Thirty Years of Adonis is another testament to his audacious narratives and directorial prowess, leaving even the most prepared audience thunderstruck.
He navigates the journey of its characters through a landscape of sensuality, self-discovery and self-destruction, challenging norms and offering a blend of provocative storytelling and visual artistry that is as beautiful as it is casually shocking.
– kijA”
Information Sources: IFFR 2024
More：Adonis He / Justin Lim / Daniel Benjamin / Eric East / Amanda Lee / Susan Shaw / Katashi / William Lo / Derek Lai / Teslin / Huang Wei Kai / Bank Chuang / Owen Wu / Lew Voon Khong / Simon Tam / Pao Jung Jen / Jason Lee
