A new documentary chronicling one of pop music’s most remarkable cultural milestones is heading to cinemas this summer. Wham! 10 Days in China, a feature-length film exploring Wham!’s historic 1985 visit to China, will receive a worldwide theatrical release on July 28th before later airing on BBC Two and streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Directed by Mike Christie (New Order: Decades, Accelerate or Die!), the 90-minute documentary revisits the ten-day trip that saw George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley become the first Western pop stars to perform in the People’s Republic of China. The visit marked a pivotal moment not only in the duo’s meteoric rise to international fame, but also in the growing cultural exchange between East and West during the mid-1980s.
Drawing on newly restored archive footage, behind-the-scenes material, and contemporary interviews, the film offers an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of bringing a Western pop spectacle to a country that had only recently begun opening its doors to international influences.
The documentary features new contributions from Ridgeley, members of Wham!’s touring entourage, and Chinese fans who witnessed the landmark concerts firsthand. Their recollections paint a vivid picture of a tour that transcended music, becoming a symbol of a rapidly changing era.
Commenting on the project, Andrew Ridgeley says: “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.”
At the time, Wham! were among the biggest acts in the world, propelled by global hits including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Club Tropicana”, and “I’m Your Man”. Their performances in Beijing and Guangzhou represented a major diplomatic and cultural achievement, attracting worldwide media attention and cementing the duo’s status as international superstars.
The film arrives as interest in Wham!’s legacy continues to grow following recent retrospectives celebrating the group’s enduring impact on pop culture and the lasting influence of George Michael’s songwriting and artistry.
Tickets for the theatrical release are expected to go on Wednesday, June 24th, giving fans an opportunity to experience the story of one of pop’s most ambitious and unexpected adventures on the big screen.
Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Official Video)
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