12 Apr

16:45

Studio/K

Timorplein 62, Amsterdam

An intimate documentary celebrating Southeast Asia's underground ballroom scene. Follow three pioneers as they find family and express their queer identity through dance.

Film: 10s Across the Borders

More info & tickets

Three pioneers from the underground ballroom scene of Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines take us to the heart of their communities. Teddy from Malaysia, Sun from Thailand, and Xyza from the Philippines each struggle with their personal stories of discrimination and resistance. In the world of ballroom dance, they find a place where they can truly be themselves, where they find a new family, and their queer identity can be fully expressed.

After 7 years in the making, this film is an intimate portrait and a powerful celebration of ballroom culture, from its origins in the Black and Latinx queer communities of New York, where Teddy and Xyza visit to learn, to its global resonance in Southeast Asia. In 10s Across the Borders, the filmmaker and main characters join forces to celebrate queerness in all its resilience and vibrancy, step by step, walk by walk.

Special Performance

The screening on April 10th includes a performance by Andre Damien (Dutch Mother of The House of Gabbana and founder of the Utrecht Ballroom Scene).

About the Director

Chan Sze-Wei is a documentary and experimental dance filmmaker who captures alternative histories as expressed in body, movement, and art. Their feature film debut 10s Across the Borders had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.