Tang Long 唐龙

In the outskirts of Shanghai, where city meets suburb, two men share a life together in quiet defiance of expectations.

Through the summer heat of suburban Shanghai, we follow Tang Long (唐龙) and his partner as they move through their daily rhythms. Their story unfolds not in grand gestures or dramatic revelations, but in shared meals, gentle conversations, and the comfortable silences between two people who have built a life together.

A quiet moment at home

Through careful framing and unobtrusive camera work, I focused on capturing the natural rhythms and quiet moments of their daily life together.

Finding Our Story

The journey to make this film began with a broader question about visibility and representation in Shanghai's LGBTQ community. Through ShanghaiPride and PFLAG China, we encountered various individuals from the middle-aged queer community - each with their own reasons for staying hidden or seeking visibility.

We met Min Min, the 68-year-old founder of 来来舞厅 (Lai Lai Dancehall), whose story spoke to an earlier generation's struggles. A 61-year-old state enterprise worker, active in the Rainbow Witness Fellowship, who ultimately chose to remain in the shadows, fearing recognition by colleagues.

Then we met Tang Long (40) and Gang Gang (38). In their suburban home, away from the scrutiny of central Shanghai, they had carved out a space where they could simply be. Their willingness to share their story came not from any political statement, but from a quiet confidence in their life together.

Shanghai Pride Festival 2019 Conversation with people from Lai Lai Dancehall

Conversation with people from Lai Lai Dancehall

The Film

Through long takes and natural light, we documented the quiet poetry of their everyday existence. The film eschews traditional narrative structures, instead finding its rhythm in the gentle patterns of daily life - cooking shared meals, volunteering at the local community center, and caring for their cat. These seemingly ordinary moments, when observed with patience and care, reveal extraordinary depths of intimacy, trust and mutual understanding between two people who have built a life together.