A new Wham! documentary will dive into the legacy of the band’s history-making tour of China.
In 1985 the English pop duo – made up of the late George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley – made history by becoming the first Western pop act to visit the country following its Cultural Revolution.
More than 40 years on, that 10-day tour is the focus of a new film which spotlights the duo’s performances in Beijing and Guangzhou.
Wham! 10 Days In China comes from Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment UK, which has said the documentary will dive into the “whys, hows and legacy” of the landmark visit.
They have also described it as a “one-of-a-kind moment that honours their enduring global influence”.
The first Western pop group to perform in China, Wham!’s two concerts introduced live pop music to audiences under strict guidelines at the time.
It also marked a pivotal moment for the band by expanding its international profile.
The film has drawn on restored, newly digitised and never-before-seen archive footage, alongside interviews with those who experienced the tour first-hand.
It revisits the historical moment through the eyes of the band, their team and Chinese audiences encountering Western pop culture for the first time.
The production studios said: “This is the untold story of Wham! at a singular moment in history, East meets West, pop meets politics, and two young stars coming of age on the world stage.
“The film offers a fresh perspective on China at a moment of transformation, told through the band’s journey and the voices of fans experiencing pop culture in a new way.”
Ridgeley said: “This film finally reveals the unknown legacy of Wham!’s groundbreaking venture, and lays bare, in all their human contradictions, the individual perspectives behind what was a bold and risky, high-stakes gamble.”
George Michael Entertainment and the George Michael estate said: “We are proud to be a part of this re-examination of what was a bold, brave foray into unknown territory, both political and cultural, some 40 years after the event took place.
“We hope that existing fans of Wham! and those not so familiar with the China adventure will find this film as fascinating and thought-provoking as we did during the making of the film.”
Sony Music Vision’s president Tom Mackay said: “We can’t wait to bring Wham! 10 Days In China to audiences around the world, with a film that brings this remarkable moment back to life through incredible archival material and first-hand perspectives.”
Wham! 10 Days In China will be released in cinemas worldwide on July 28.
It will also be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later this summer.
