GagaOOLala is Asia’s first LGBTQ streaming platform, with the largest queer film collection in Asia, ranging from full-length movies to short films to TV series, and, slowly but surely, original content.
The platform, which launched in 2017, just announced that it’s expanding its catalogue of original content with the short film Sodom’s Cat.
The film, which runs just over 30 minutes, was shot back in 2016 and has been been touring the film festival circuit for more than one year, earning praise from both audience and critics.
It follows the lives of five young men from Taipei who meet for a group-sex party after contacting each other through a dating app. But the film is about more than just explicit gay sex, it delves into the psychological and emotional consequences of contemporary hookup culture.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Related: Least Desirable? Gay Asian men talk sexual racism and the impact it has on everyone
Sodom’s Cat was an immediate critical smash in its home country at the Taiwan International Queer Film Festival, and was shortlisted for the prestigious Iris Prize Award.
The film was directed by Huang Ting-Chun who says he was heavily influenced by the French gay film Paris 05:59. His goal for Sodom Cat is to examine casual gay sex and relationships which are still considered taboo in Taiwanese culture.
“This is a film talking about love through sex,” Ting-Chun says. “Though it is X-rated, it is the emotions behind our current sex culture that I want to explore.”
The work-unfriendly trailer is a little too risque for our site, but you and see it HERE.
Related: ‘No fats, no femmes, no Asians’: 6 films that show how far we have come–and yet to go
CastleSF
Another film glorifying anonymous hookup sex and the promiscuous nature of gay men in a country where same sex marriage will soon be legalized. What an irony!
ChrisK
Do you ever get tired of being the only one preaching the same crap?
Cylest Brooks
Both of you need to stop.
CastleSF, we get it. You think the content is immoral. You make that point every chance you get. Have you heard of JKS? It means “just keep scrolling” and it’s something you’re welcome to do if you don’t like the promiscuity that you find here. What you DON’T need to do is perpetuate your constantly negative attitude here in the comments sections… especially considering that it has had and will have exactly ZERO impact on the type of content that Queerty runs. Just keep scrolling.
ChrisK, you don’t have to engage. There’s nothing that says you need to participate by replying. If Castle can’t manage to JKS, you certainly can.
I will continue to monitor the threads, but please be aware that more and more comments will be deleted as we move toward creating a more positive space here, and neither of you will get a pass just because I’ve agreed with you on stuff in the past. Thanks for understanding.
CastleSF
Cylest, your points are respectfully noted. It sounds like only positive and agreeable comments are allowed in this section.
Cylest Brooks
CastleSF, I don’t know that I’d go that far. I am currently engaged in a pretty non-agreeable conversation with mhoffman953 on another thread. And I certainly encourage discourse and discussion, even if we aren’t always on the same side.
There are ways to have those conversations without devolving into personal comments, attacks, and copy/paste arguments. I can appreciate, for instance, that you seem to value monogamy and more “traditional” relationship values, even if I personally don’t adhere to those values, but I don’t use derogatory language to discuss your values.
The comments section here has really done a disservice to reasonable dialogue, because it has allowed gross language and personal attacks to become the status quo. That’s why I was hired… to help shift the narratives and create a more positive space. I certainly wouldn’t consider your comment to be terrible, but I also think you are capable of better discourse.
I’m sure there will be times when it feels like I am just this “rainbows and butterflies” person who only allows happiness and joy. That’s normal when making the transition from zero moderation to affirmative moderation. But I promise that I’m totally in favor of strong, deep conversations even when opinions are divided.
Bob LaBlah
You know, Cylest, I can’t for the life of me figure out what either of them said to warrant your criticism and personally I think your a bit over zealous in your clean up effort. Our opinions are our opinions and I am happy CastleSF voiced his even though I don’t agree with it. Lighten up a bit.
Cylest Brooks
Bob LaBlah, your opinion is noted, even though I don’t agree with it. <3
Kangol
That trailer got my attention. I want to see the full film now. Was the nudity (with no genitalia or full-scale sex) too much to post here on Queerty, though? Just wondering.
CastleSF
Low budget films like this will not have English subtitle so don’t waste your time because you’ll never understand what the story is about.
Cylest Brooks
Good question! I don’t know the answer but I doubt it’s a matter of being “too much”. I could be wrong, I don’t work closely enough with the writers to say for sure.
Kangol
@Cylest, thanks for the reply.
@CastleSF, instead of dismissing the film, you might look at the trailer. It has English subtitles.
CastleSF
Although I am proud of the success of gay marriage legalization in that country, I am dismayed by the increasingly decadent lifestyle many young gay guys have become used to that puts their health in jeopardy. Back to the film, the trailer may have English subtitles but I suspect that it is not a film any person with a decent mind would want to watch.
Armiya
Please by all means do enlighten us as to what films would be appropriate for decent minds to watch that don’t involve chastity belts and time limits on kissing? If the content of the film leads you to say no one with a “decent mind” to watch, by all means why don’t hide try to get legislation enacted for a worldwide Hayes code? You know just like Hollywood in the 30s where everything went from pure honesty to what couldn’t be shown for moral and upstanding values? Wouldn’t that be great? Then everyone who is portrayed as gay will have to only be alluded to without coming right out and declaring their sexuality and because of their immorality they have to suffer and then die (because the ‘good book’ supposedly says so) just like it was shown in the documentary “The Celluloid Closet”. It was also during that time of morals and standards that Asian actress Anna May Wong was stereotyped as a dragon lady, never to be good but always to die because she was the villain.
Since you’re always acting like the moral majority here, please do enlighten us as to what would be appropriate for society to be watching and please list ideas of how we need to stamp our decadence because people shouldn’t have the freedom to be themselves under the guise of “morality” or “decent minds” as you say because it seems to get under your skin. How do we overcome ALL these people under a United sexuality that you want to put into one perfect box?
Heywood Jablowme
@CastleSF: Your avatar photo reminded me to look up something:
“Body language: Crossing the arms. Crossing the arms across the chest is a classic gesture of defensiveness. This defensiveness can manifest as uneasiness, shyness or insecurity. When a person feels threatened by a situation, he crosses his arms across his chest creating a barrier that helps him protect his vital organs- the lungs and the heart.” – psychmechanics.com
Mick406
The people I have encountered in life who folded their arms like this were usually stubborn and could not be persuaded to change their minds. Defensive? Yes, but mostly over confident in their opinions.
As for what is appropriate for Queerty to publish or for what others post on here? I adhere to no censorship ideals and elect to ignore or disregard the topics that I find disturbing or against my personal beliefs. But I think everything should be on the table. It’s ours to examine or leave alone.
I usually do not write condemnation pieces on here except when it comes to politics. I get annoyed when I see some paint ALL of us with a broad liberal brush and promotes hatred for President Trump. We all have the freedom of voting, but just because you may be homo does not mean each of us are a raging liberal. Some of us have conservative and family values, and think that our sexual aversions should not be displayed on the public streets in front of straight adults and mainly children. It is of my opinion that if you want to make out and engage in homo acts, do it in your home and in private. These public displays do nothing but fuel the fires of the homophobes.
tnguy222
NOM NOM NOM
what scrumptious looking boys!
RIGay
Honestly, I think every human being should experience at least one orgy in their lifetime.
CastleSF
Your logic is so twisted that you seem to suggest that we all need to do drugs, engage in reckless orgies, or hook up with a hustler in order to experience the totality of life. Most gay guys have never done anything like that and still they live a decent and fulfilling life.
tnguy222
I agree entirely.
If you want to have a full, interesting, and sensual life experience you have to be willing to try 95% of the experiences that life has to offer. That is a life well lived; anything else is a mediocre existence.
CastleSF
tnguy, what you consider an interesting and sensual life experience, I call it cheap and old drama that promotes little spiritual growth. Still, it is your life and you get to call the shots.
DCguy
“Daring”? “Tackles”?
There have been MANY films that have dealt with this topic. Frankly it would be more daring and unusual for a film to deal with an lgbt couple dealing with a long relationship, buying a new house, and dealing with deciding where to go on a vacation.
Heywood Jablowme
zzzzzzzzzzzzz….
And then we can see “Watching Paint Dry” at the Documentary Film Festival!
DCguy
I’m not saying you’d love it, I’m just saying that this subject matter is in no way new or daring, ya smart-ass. 🙂
EvonCook
It is so very sad that so many gays have become such faux heterosexuals and imbibed all the most horrible smallness, phobic and limited mindsets and brainwashing of typical heterosexuals (and religionists!). Marriage equality and mild tolerance (read: tacit acceptability) somehow seem to have been the death knell to the marvelously subversive, creative and independent gay life as well as our unique exploration and celebration of unfettered sexuality. The fear of being or seeming different, evidently still around, now manifests itself in community proctors, censors, scolders and Cassandras, all twisting history, blaming victims and thinking they are superior because they espouse mainstream hetero values. Let’s remember clearly, the genesis and basis of hetero marriage is property and paternity rights, male dominance and the fierce control, restraint and limitation of that frightening power of sexuality, certainly not romantic love and sexual satisfaction! Gays, in contrast, traditionally lived, loved and enjoyed something that far exceeded the usual hetero experience, imagination and achievement. Now, so many just swallow the tired old illusionary security of having “husbands,” accepting psychological bondage and wanting to live in the wasteland of suburbia!
CastleSF
EvonCook, another outdated and nasty opinion from a 70s hasbeen. The millennials and the younger wiser gay guys have moved forward fast and furious and regrettably it’s people like you who are left behind.
Kangol
@CastleSF, can you please not engage in ad hominem attacks? You disagree with EvonCook, fine. But don’t call him/her/them a “70s hasbeen,” OK? Also, the last time I was at the Black Party, or a gay bar, I saw LOTS of millennials hooking up, hanging out, having a wild time. Go to a gay pride or Folsom East or West, and I assure you that not all the people partying it up are 40+. Just look on Instagram if you’re still unsure about this. I get that you want a very sedate, homonormative life. That’s fine. Live it. But please let others live the lives they want to live. You’re only on this earth once, unless you believe in reincarnation or another understanding of reality that involves the afterlife and this one connecting, and part of this life on earth may include some real pain and suffering, so let consenting adults who aren’t harming others enjoy themselves while they can.
CastleSF
My apologies to EvonCook. The “hasbeen” term is inappropriate but your opinion that the gay existence is superior to the straight existence just gets on my nerves.
Heywood Jablowme
@CastleSF: There are LOTS of sleazy, slutty, druggy, promiscuous young gay guys YOUR OWN AGE and younger. Just because you’ve never encountered them (? – seriously?) doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Indeed, Queerty writes about them all the time. Obviously, they are the guys you should be condemning, since after all they are living in our new gay monogamous Golden Age! At least back in the Sleazy Olden Days, we had the excuse of being oppressed by our sleazy gay culture!
signed – an ’80s/’90s has-been (lol)
DCguy
EvonCook
Actually I was commenting on the fact that the subject matter isn’t new or daring. That multiple films have already explored this EXACT TOPIC.
So before you try to lash out with what appears to be some major issues around this area, you may want to read the post you’re responding to a little bit more closely.
CastleSF
Heywood, I simply don’t agree with certain gay lifestyles, lifestyles I perceive as uninspiring and undisciplined but in no way do I condemn people who choose to live those lifestyles. You know, condemnation is so unsavory a word. Let’s just not go there.
Heywood Jablowme
@CastleSF: You really need to look up “condemn” in the dictionary, but I’m relieved to see you at least a bit less judgmental!
Try uncrossing your arms, and maybe take a meditation class. 🙂
rdb2010
Where is “Talwan”? I found a city in India by that name, but these boys don’t look Indian.
DCguy
An Island off of the coast of China, the island was originally called Formosa, when Mao and the Chinese communists took over China, Chain Kai Check and the other opponents fled with their troops to Formosa, created the Republic of China. (Taiwan), other names include Chinese Taipei.
They are moving closer together over the past few years and are very economically tied, but still have completely separate governments.
Mick406
It is “Taiwan”. With an “eye”, not an “el”. TAIWAN
alanballs
I’ve got to see this movie! Having lived and worked on Taiwan for 16 years, (and now living in China), I’m so happy that Taiwan has been making several decent gay themed movies over that past several years, and has moved closer to marriage equality. Those 16 years were the best years of my life (so far). 🙂
Armiya
“Zero impact” on what Queerty runs we are told. And we can just scroll on and not comment. If the writers feel that putting what amounts to tripe gives them a home run from criticism or someone else’s opinion, then why are fooling themselves. You put it out there you have to take the clapback on the content. You are also correct Cylest that not everyone is going to agree, but sometimes the comments you are censoring are comments that you personally don’t like that aren’t directed towards anyone in general, are mildly critical at best, or even snarky about who might be in the article, you delete. Why even come in and wag your finger and insert yourself into the conversations? Why not just delete away as an invisible force?
Cylest Brooks
Because that’s not what I was instructed to do.
Realistically, if we had chosen to implement the change to the comment policy in that way, where I just came in and deleted comments with no feedback or explanation, y’all would have just as much (if not more) of a problem with me. The only difference would be that you wouldn’t know my name.
Instead, we opted to give people the opportunity to understand what would violate the rules and what would not. You may disagree, and you’re welcome to that opinion, but I am certain that this was the better choice.
As it stands, you’re not completely wrong. Short of a very intuitive AI program, there’s no possible way for me to promise you that all of my choices will be 100% without bias. That is just an impossibility for a human person… bias is strong, sometimes hidden, and often mistaken for something else. I try hard to be purposeful and direct about the choices that I make here, but I’m sure there is some margin of bias. I DO try hard, though, to ensure that my decisions here are based on Queerty’s comment policy and vision for the site, and not about my own personal value system.
Thanks for the feedback again, Armiya. Always a pleasure.
DCguy
Actually the only thing I’ve noticed, is that the anti-lgbt troll account and it’s multiple screenames who come in here to attack lgbts have been deleted. I haven’t noticed a ton of other comments going away.
Armiya
It’s nothing personal against you, but Queerty should remember that yeah there are people who are going to have opinions and yes that includes opinions on the mostly vapid and shallow content that is spewed out. Looking over work that the writers have done on other sites, it’s pretty sad the choices sometimes they make to run as news and you’re also basically trying to tone down the cattiness and again, I’ve seen you erase comments that weren’t mean spirited at all or snarky or rude and you deleted them anyways and they were NOT in violation of the comment policy and some were on par with the biased and shi*ty comments your own writers have inserted about people in the public eye. Tyler Henry may be someone I think is a joke, but someone who writes for this site, takes it upon themselves to be pretty nasty about him when they write an article, and then writes an article about bullying, yet we have to be the ones censored? Give me a break. Your writers you work for are just as biased, opinionated and catty as any of us.
Heywood Jablowme
My vague, early impression is that Cylest focuses maybe a bit too much on certain expressions. It’s that modern SJW thing where it’s assumed that anyone might faint like Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” if they’re called an SJW.
(Will this comment get deleted just for using SJW? – sigh.)
An example: About a year ago a commenter got extremely upset with me because I used the expression “f@g-bashing” in referring to a bashing that happened TO ME. He was whining something like, “who is going to protect us from language like that?” – he actually used the word “protect”! (Sounds like Trump, come to think of it, lol.) My point was that “f@g-bashing” is a common expression used by openly gay people who’ve been VICTIMS of it; I don’t find the term objectionable, but I certainly did find the act objectionable when I was literally beaten into a f*cking coma. … Anyway this fragile flower was so upset he quit Queerty in a huff! (Unless he’s returned under a new name, which seems to happen a lot.) The younger generation is lucky they don’t have to experience the act itself anymore and they can just whine about the words used to describe it.
DCguy
It’s adorable, when somebody pretends to be posting a “reasonable” comment and yet uses phrases from right wing hate sites.
Let’s explore the phrase you are mocking. “SJW”. Social Justice Warrior.
So in other words, the label that inspires so much disdain and anger on the right, is referring to somebody who feels that there should be some fairness and justice in the world.
Interesting that the prospect of that is so upsetting to them.
Heywood Jablowme
@DCguy/Cam: Ridiculous. I’m a Bernie liberal; I work for as lefty a non-profit as you could imagine.
But everyone knows what SJW means: a pompous, sanctimonious, humorless fool who focuses NOT on actions but on lingo, and goes off endlessly attacking allies because it’s easier to attack allies than to attack actual homophobes (at least in real life, not pseudonymously on some site) or to address any actual problems in the world.
Heywood Jablowme
Another example: Cyclest casually used the term “deadnaming” during a recent dustup about trans issues.
I’d bet that 99% of the readership had never heard the term deadnaming before. (I happened to know but that’s not my point, to brag about that.)
But Cyclest didn’t even bother to explain it, at first. It was deemed sufficient to admonish people for doing it without bothering to explain what it was! Then when someone objected “WTF” (quote) does it mean, Cylest finally explained it.
Heywood Jablowme
@DCguy: And I may as well add: You don’t even bother keeping track of anyone here. I’ve been posting here for quite awhile, at least 2 or 3 years, and I’ve always had opinions that agreed with you, at least 98% of the time, and I’ve always objected to/made fun of the very same right-wingers that you have. And yet, you’re too lazy to even keep track of anyone here, and you immediately accuse anyone you even suspect of disagreeing with you – about something relatively trivial! – of being a right-winger. And then you wonder (or pretend to wonder) why anyone resents that.
Are you anywhere near as concerned about gay people getting BASHED, as you obviously are concerned about the use of certain trivial lingo? Because you immediately flipped out about the lingo and you didn’t even mention the actual, you know, problem! (Which btw is hardly ancient history; Queerty reported on a bashing in Florida just a few days ago.)
CastleSF
This “anti-lgbt troll” obsession that seems to have haunted DCguy is remarkable. I find it mildly entertaining every time he accuses someone of being anti-lgbt for no apparent reasons.
hexadecimal
Ya’ll know that this will not be available for streaming outside of Southeast Asia.