A new Wham! documentary is set to explore the legacy of the band's groundbreaking tour of China in 1985. The English pop duo, consisting of the late George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, made history by becoming the first Western pop act to visit the country after its Cultural Revolution.
Focus on the Historic 10-Day Tour
More than 40 years later, that 10-day tour is the subject of a new film that highlights the duo's performances in Beijing and Guangzhou. Titled Wham! 10 Days In China, the documentary comes from Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment UK. The studios have stated that the film will delve into the "whys, hows and legacy" of this landmark visit, describing it as a "one-of-a-kind moment that honours their enduring global influence."
First Western Pop Group in China
As 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. This tour also marked a pivotal moment for the band, expanding their international profile significantly.
Exclusive Footage and Interviews
The documentary draws on restored, newly digitised, and never-before-seen archive footage, along with interviews from those who experienced the tour first-hand. It revisits this historical moment through the eyes of the band, their team, and Chinese audiences encountering Western pop culture for the first time.
The production studios commented: "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."
Reactions from Band and Estate
Andrew 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 added: "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."
Release Details
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." The documentary will be released in cinemas worldwide on July 28 and will also be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later this summer.
