Moneyboys: Gay sex worker drama selected for Cannes Film Festival

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: KGP/Flash Foward Entertainment

Moneyboys, a Taiwan-shot movie about gay sex work, has been selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival in July.

Starring Kai Ko and JC Lin, the film follows a man who turns to the oldest profession in the world to support his family.

Moneyboys will screen as part of the Un Certain Regard (meaning ‘from another angle’) competition: a collection of 20 films with unique styles and unusual stories.

“They are only willing to accept his money, not his lifestyle,”

The film’s Mubi synopsis reads as follows: “Fei works illegally as a hustler to support his family, but when he realizes they are only willing to accept his money, not his lifestyle, their relationship falls apart.

“He seems able to find a new lease on life after meeting the headstrong Long, until his childhood love reappears.”

AustrainFilms.com adds: “Fei makes a living in the big city working as a Moneyboy. His world collapses when he realizes that his family accepts his money but not his homosexuality. Broken-hearted, Fei struggles to create a new beginning in his life.”

There is currently no trailer for Moneyboys online. The film is written and directed by Chen Bo Yilin (C.B. Yi).

The 74th Cannes Film Festival takes place from 6 to 17 July 2021. Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, who came out publicly in 2013, will serve as special guest of the Opening Ceremony and the Honorary Palme d’or of the festival.

The Attitude July issue is out now.

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