Queer as Punk
Showtimes
For Malaysian band Shh…Diam!, punk is not just music – it’s a revolution and a way to stay alive. Shh…Diam! is, in their own words, “75% queer”, and the band’s songs reflect queer joy and rebellion. At the centre of Queer as Punk is Faris, a trans musician and activist.
“This song is about people taking off their clothes and showering together. So I’m also going to take off my clothes!” Faris yells out in the opening seconds of the film. The crowd goes wild as the band plays one of their bangers clad in binders and bras.
Queer as Punk follows Faris and his bandmates over the course of six years. Bassist Yoyo struggles with whether to stay in Malaysia or not. In the background, Malaysian society appears hyperconservative, homophobic and transphobic. Queer Muslims may receive additional punishments under Sharia law, so every riff played presents a risk. Still, Shh…Diam! takes a loud and fearless stance against patriarchal violence. Their chosen family offers safety in the midst of violence and marginalisation.
The camera follows the band to shows, protests, weddings and secret hangouts – moments, where music turns into a tool of resistance and community into a survival strategy.
Director Yihwen Chen’s film is a loving ode to those who are bold enough to scream their truth in the face of a hostile society. In this documentary, every show played is both a celebration and an act of defiance.
Riikka Pennanen (translated by Sofia Lanki)
