- Jun 25
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 2
The Night (2023)
Director: Jenny Zhang
Duration: 34 min
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
Subtitles: Chinese, English
Country/Region: Mainland China
The Night follows two young women as they gradually come to confront and affirm themselves under the pressures of social norms and family expectations. While the protagonists’ journeys reflect queer experiences familiar to many East Asian family contexts, the film refuses to remain confined within narratives of shame, repression, and trauma. Instead, it turns its attention to the formation of self-awareness and the assertion of emotional agency.
When the protagonist decides to seek out the person she still loves, the film’s emotional centre quietly shifts from fear to choice. Growing up no longer means compromise or loss, but rather the active affirmation of one’s identity, desires, and emotional commitments. Love is not entirely destroyed by familial structures; through belated courage and honesty, it regains the possibility of being realised. Gentle yet resolute, the film reminds us that queer life is not only about trauma but also about the capacity to love and the freedom to choose love.
& Director Statement
I hope that everyone can be free to love whoever they want and to become their true selves.
Venue
The Arzner Cinema
10 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN
Wednesday, 8 July 2026 | 8:15–10:35 pm
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via The Arzner’s official booking page. We recommend booking in advance to secure your seat.
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