Lan Yu is a 2001 Chinese film directed by Stanley Kwan and based on a novel by Jimmy Ngai. The film follows the love story between a country boy named Lan Yu (played by Liu Ye) and a wealthy businessman named Chen Handong (played by Hu Jun) set against the backdrop of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident.
Lan Yu is a young man from a poor family who moves to Beijing to study architecture. He meets Chen Handong, a successful businessman, at a gay bar where they hook up for the night. Though they have vastly different backgrounds, the two quickly fall in love and embark on a passionate affair.
As their relationship deepens, Lan Yu becomes increasingly aware of the class and wealth disparities between him and Chen Handong. Despite this, they continue to see each other in secret, with Chen Handong often showering Lan Yu with expensive gifts and lavish dates.
Their relationship is eventually tested by the political turmoil of the Tiananmen Square protests. Chen Handong, a member of the Communist Party, is forced to choose between his political allegiances and his love for Lan Yu. With the military crackdown looming, the two men must confront the reality of their relationship and the consequences of their actions.
Lan Yu is a poignant and powerful portrayal of forbidden love in a time of political upheaval. It was highly acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of LGBT themes and its exploration of the complexities of love and identity in a changing China.