A monumental moment in music history is set to be revisited in a thrilling new documentary, 'Wham! 10 Days In China', which promises to shed fresh light on the cultural phenomenon that was Wham!'s groundbreaking 1985 tour of China. The iconic British pop duo, comprising George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, made headlines around the world when they became the first Western musical act to perform in a country shrouded in secrecy following its Cultural Revolution.
Produced by Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment UK, this gripping film uncovers the motivations, execution, and lasting impact of Wham!'s historic 10-day visit, which catapulted the duo to international stardom and introduced live Western pop music to Chinese audiences. At a time when China was largely off-limits to Western culture, Wham!'s two concerts were subject to strict guidelines – making their introduction of pop music a truly unique cultural exchange that would leave an indelible mark on history.
The film has been meticulously crafted using a treasure trove of restored, newly digitised, and previously unseen archive footage. This visual feast is complemented by extensive interviews with individuals who witnessed the tour firsthand, including members of the band, their touring team, and Chinese audiences encountering Western pop culture for the very first time.
Andrew Ridgeley hailed the film as a game-changer, saying it 'finally reveals the unknown legacy of Wham!’s groundbreaking venture, laying 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 expressed pride in the 're-examination of what was a bold, brave foray into unknown territory, both political and cultural, some 40 years after the event took place.'
The documentary is set to hit cinemas worldwide on July 28, offering global audiences a chance to witness this pivotal moment in pop culture history on the big screen. In the UK, fans can catch the film on BBC Two and stream it on BBC iPlayer later this summer – making sure no one misses out on this unforgettable story.