Best Wishes

Two young queer Chinese men share a heartfelt phone call before one enters a marriage with a woman. Rooted in Confucian philosophy, which has shaped Chinese society for over two millennia, is the concept of filial piety, an essential virtue emphasizing respect and duty toward one’s parents and ancestors. A major aspect of this tradition is the expectation to continue the family line by having children. This enduring ideology has placed considerable pressure on the LGBTQ community in China. With an estimated gay population exceeding 30 million, many individuals feel compelled to marry unwitting partners of the opposite gender due to intense familial and societal expectations. These coerced unions often result in emotional repression and heartbreak. The film offers a quiet reflection on how tradition can shape, complicate, and sometimes contradict personal identity. It hopes to spark discussion around how traditional principles and virtues might evolve to become more inclusive.