Wham! 10 Days in China: A New Documentary Revisits the 1985 Tour

Director Mike Christie has assembled *Wham! 10 Days in China*, a feature-length documentary that blends restored archive footage with fresh interviews from George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, former bandmates and Chinese fans. The film concentrates on the British pop duo’s historic April 1985 concerts at Beijing’s Workers’ Gymnasium and Guangzhou’s Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, portraying the tour as a cultural first-contact moment between a youthful Western pop act and a China just opening to the world.

The Irish Times

In 1985, under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership, China began expanding cultural exchanges. Western popular music was still rare, making Wham!’s four-city visit a “seismic happening,” according to Christie. The concerts attracted massive local interest, and the band’s clean-cut image was deemed acceptable by Chinese officials, who had also turned down requests from other Western acts such as Queen.

The Irish Times

The tour was originally filmed by Palme d’Or-winning director Lindsay Anderson for *If You Were There…*. Anderson’s cut emphasized Chinese daily life over the performances, leading George Michael to reject it. Simon Napier-Bell, Wham!’s manager, argued that Anderson had forgotten who financed the project, insisting the band needed a showcase rather than a sociopolitical essay. Christie’s new documentary does not use Anderson’s or *Foreign Skies* footage; instead, it relies on restored reels discovered in archives, including a lengthy interview with Michael found at the Library of Congress.

The Irish Times

• Approximately 120–130 people—including crew and press—traveled with the documentary team, filming “about four different things” each day.

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• The Beijing concert was attended by 72,000 fans, the same number reported for the band’s later farewell gig.

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• The itinerary combined performances, official banquets, Great-Wall sightseeing and extensive media coverage, reflecting a highly supervised schedule.

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Christie describes the project as “a film about pressure,” noting the dual burden of global pop stardom and Michael’s personal struggle with his sexuality. Napier-Bell recalls negotiating with Chinese authorities for over a year, asserting that Wham!’s youthful image made the tour politically palatable.

The Irish Times

Anderson’s criticism of Michael’s ego and perceived entitlement stands as the most pointed opposition to the band’s cinematic legacy. His public remarks framed the documentary as an unnecessary indulgence, contrasting sharply with the band’s view that the film should serve as a promotional showcase.

The Irish Times

• “Lindsay Anderson is from a different era,” — Mike Christie, director

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• “I don’t want people thinking of me as a sexual object, straight or gay,” — George Michael

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*Wham! 10 Days in China* opens in cinemas on Tuesday, July 28.

The Irish Times