BANGKOK — Activist Fan Popo tries to fight for LGBT rights by capturing their lives and struggles in mainland China on film. The director will screen and discuss one of his docs at a Sathon area art-bar later this month.

In 84 minutes, Fan Popo’s 2011 doc “Be a Woman” explores the lives behind a glam transvestite show at the Only-Love bar in Nanning, in southwestern China, and gives realistic portrayals behind the glittering costumes and sensual dancing of four drag queens he followed over a span of three years.

The 31-year-old independent filmmaker started his career in 2009 with a focus on LGBT and gender issues. His works include 2012’s “Mama Rainbow,” which helped people come out to their parents eventually saw him win a lawsuit against the state censorship bureau for pulling it from major streaming sites.

Apart from organizing queer film festivals, Fan is also a board member of the Beijing LGBT Center. The director will be present and will join a discussion after the film is shown.

Admission is free. The movie starts at 8pm on Feb. 24 at Jam, an art-bar located on lower Sathon Road, a five-minute walk from BTS Surasak.

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