Courtney Howard // Film Critic
WHAM! 10 DAYS IN CHINA
Not Rated, 1 hour and 30 minutes
Directed by: Mike Christie
Starring: George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley
Everything was different in a time before the internet. From the dissemination of newsworthy events to how music spread amongst fans, crossing borders and oceans to “Make It Big” as the title of Wham’s album that hit stratospheric heights so exclaimed. Such is the case of that British pop group in the early ‘80s, whose upbeat, bouncy bops and smooth, melodramatic ballads caught on round the world, one country at a time, before finally breaking out in the United States.
WHAM! 10 DAYS IN CHINA sets out to chronicle George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley and their touring band’s groundbreaking trip as the first ever to bring western pop music into communist China on their tour in 1985. Utilizing newly remastered and never before seen archival footage alongside interviews with the people whose lives were changed irrevocably having experienced this singular moment in history, the documentary looks back on the far-reaching legacy of these pop music ambassadors and a country once deeply entrenched in geopolitical strife. It’s a real-life time capsule that catapults audiences back to an era where music had the power to unite.
While documentarian Mike Christie doesn’t reinvent the wheel with his use of talking head style interviews comingling with archival footage, the straight-forward style he adopts is easily digestible, engrossing and rousing. He’s tasked to make a documentary on a documentary, incorporating what once was Lindsay Anderson and Andrew Morahan’s doc that imploded on its filmmakers during the making of it (IF YOU WERE THERE). By refashioning and refocusing the production as a new, enlightening and brilliantly reflective documentary, he’s able to examine what the visit to China meant at the time and what it means now. Looking forward while simultaneously looking back with such clarity works well for this new narrative spun. Christie takes ample time to spotlight what everyone’s agendas were when approaching the original doc, whether that be George and Andrew’s want to play shows at their very best, their manager’s wants to use publicity as a way to springboard them into popularity in the United States, or even Anderson’s play at creating a film just didn’t hit the right key with anyone.
Michael Entertainment. Photograph by Martyn Goddard.
His documentary is fascinating in many respects, from how Wham’s management team went about promoting the two concerts in Bejing and Guangzhou (giving away cassette tapes with concert ticket purchases) to how the concert attendees were allowed to conduct themselves during the shows (one night proved less restrictive than the other). The crowd response they created – their gravitational pull as pop superstars, intensely observed, followed and examined not just by Chinese citizens but by visiting, vicious members of the press – is deeply interesting both then and now, considering how we treat today’s music superstars. A present-day Ridgeley is shown having returned to some of the locations they visited decades ago and reflects on his memories of that cherished time, leading to a few powerful discoveries.
The performers personalities are perfectly captured. Moments of levity and vulnerability are scattered throughout. Sweet stolen moments between bandmates pepper the documentary, like during the band’s warm-up sing-a-long backstage to “Runaway.” For all the fly-on-the-wall camera work this includes, following Michael and Ridgeley around to stages parties and public appearances, concert footage is also included. We witness the exchange of energy from the performers to their fans, and vice versa, when a show goes well and when it doesn’t. Though more live song sequences could’ve stood to be included – and not abruptly cut short nor talked over – it’s a treat to see them create the magic they were famously known for onstage. George Michael’s innate sex appeal and honeyed voice was front and center in his performances and the music itself never fails to get listeners’ feet tapping. “Freedom” seemingly takes on new meaning performed in a communist country. “Careless Whisper,” “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” and “Everything She Wants” are also highlights.
WHAM! 10 DAYS IN CHINA is bound to speak to all audiences, whether you’re a longtime fan or newbie. Delivering key insights into the music business, as well as the band’s interpersonal dynamics and risks they were taking traveling into the unknown, the documentary finally gives voice to an untold and inspiring event.
Grade: 4 out of 5
WHAM! 10 DAYS IN CHINA will be in theaters globally on July 28 for one day only.
