Shanshan Chen
80 mins
LGBTQ+ activist Qiuyan Chen became an unexpected celebrity due to her courageous legal battle against homophobic university textbooks in the 2010s. However, this newfound fame came at a price: she was outed by her tutor, subjected to conversion therapy by her parents, and monitored by the Chinese government. To escape these pressures, Qiuyan left for the UK, where she met her partner Bling: but her struggles were far from over. Interweaving reflections on Qiuyan’s sexuality and relationships, Shanshan Chen’s documentary examines this inspiring activist’s commitment to building a close-knit community designed to support queer East Asian people in the UK: a solo endeavour that evolves into a movement with a growing support base. Love Bound is a compelling story about love, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for a better world.
Shanshan Chen is a London-based documentary filmmaker originally from China. With over a decade of experience covering under-reported global stories, she explores diverse narratives with a keen focus on social issues, dedicating herself to in-depth storytelling that sparks conversations and drives change.
Followed by in person Q&A from director Shanshan Chen and protagonist Qiuyan Chen.