Advance Diversity Services (ADS) has partnered with Queer Screen to offer a subsidised community screening of a compelling coming out story set in Vietnam at a local cinema next month.

The Australian premiere of Goodbye Mother is screening (subsidised offering at $10) at Event Cinema Hurstville on February 24, with a second (full price $21) screening at Event Cinemas George Street on March 1. Both screenings are part of the 28th Mardi Gras Film Festival (MGFF), which runs from February 18 to March 4, 2021.

ADS is proud to be an inclusive service and this partnership with Queer Screen, as part of MGFF, continues its work to inform culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people about LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities.

Goodbye Mother (directed by Trịnh Đình Lê Minh) is a universal tale everyone can connect with,’ says ADS Executive Officer Antoinette Chow. ‘The visual nature of film also makes it a great medium through which to raise awareness in the community – and particularly CALD audiences – about LGBTIQA+ community issues.

‘We also felt it was important to bring the film to the St George area of Sydney so that it would be accessible to the local population we work with.’


Goodbye Mother traces the story of Van (Lanh Thanh) who is the prodigal son who returns from the United States to Vietnam with plans to introduce his boyfriend, Ian (Võ Điền Gia Huy), to his mother (Hong Dao). When he learns his mother is ill, he is faced with the dilemma of how to honour his family responsibility but also to freely lead the life he has chosen with integrity.

The film won the Reeling Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival 2020 Best Narrative Feature Film and also the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2020 Audience Award. It is in Vietnamese with English subtitles.

Before the Hurstville screening of Goodbye Mother, there will also be a short talk by a representative from ACON’s Asian Gay Men youth project, which helps younger gay men from Asian cultural backgrounds take control of their health by providing a range of programs, workshops, resources and events.

The $10 tickets are only available at the Hurstville screening and you can book them here.

MGFF21 is also inviting people to create their own LGBTIQ+ film festival experience. In Sydney, along with more than 60 cinema screenings on offer, the MGFF is offering online and on-demand screenings across Australia for the first time. To in-cinema and in-home viewers MGFF21 is providing the best LGBTIQ+ cinema from around the world.

Goodbye Mother is just one of many great options for people to view during MGFF21,” says Ms Chow. “We’ve partnered with Queer Screen to encourage people in our communities to connect with narratives that will support them if they’re coming out and enhance their understanding if they’re unsure about the issues faced by LGBTIQ+ people.’

__________

Note: COVID-19 safety protocols will be adhered to at all screenings, including mandatory mask wearing.

Book your $10 ticket to Goodbye Mother at Hurstville cinema from Queer Screen here.

View the full MGFF21 program and book your other MGFF21 tickets here.

__________