Different Shades of Pink

First-time filmmaker Pak Kin Ho's Different Shades of Pink explores the lives of three Sydney, Australia cross-cultural gay couples: James and Paul (who is originally from Singapore); David and Howard (a Chinese man from Malaysia); and Dan (who lost an African-American partner to AIDS five years earlier). Although much of the discussion is specifically focused on gay life in Australia in this decidedly low-budget production, Ho does manage a comfortable intimacy with his subjects as they discuss AIDS, the politics of desire, and the pervasive social ostracism that still exists in Australia's majority culture--as well as the pressures involved in maintaining a primary relationship within the smaller gay subculture. While talking about their personal struggles with cultural stereotypes, the interviewees also underscore the importance of community and family support. Not an essential purchase, this exploration of gay relationships within the context of multicultural Australia is still recommended for larger collections. Aud: C, P. (A. Cantú)