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Cinematheque: Mulan is finally Chinese again! (and other film news)
Lot o' Hotpot: Three Travellers
"Quick, quick slow", a comedy about a group of middle aged Chinese dancers hoping to take part in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The movie also offers interesting insights to the hardships of China´s "lost generation" during the Cultural Revolution.
The old ladies and fellas you see dancing in the parks in the morning, China´s "forgotten generation", rarely gets a chance to be the central subject in Chinese movies. Director Ye Kai is now presenting an exception to that rule, by creating a feel-good comedy about a charming group of elderly amateur dancers, caught up in a quest to win a competition that will let them take part in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
For debutant director Ye Kai the movie, called Quick Quick Slow is a dedication to his parents' generation, According to THReviews, Ye Kai:
jazzes up the "Shall We Dance" formula with topical instant fame legends of such shows as "America's Got Talent," then anchors it in a genuine mainland Chinese social context, making "Quick, Quick, Slow" meaningful family fare for Asian-themed TV and festivals.
The characters include a security guard in the midst of a mid-life crisis, a housewife, a fame-seeker and her admirer, and an odd couple in their 50s. Most of the cast were sent to reeducation in the Chinese countryside during the "Cultural Revolution".The story intermixes these real life-experiences by including interviews with the actors, describing their arduous lives - not without its pleasures - in these rural collectives.
As Shanghai Daily describes it:
The real-life stories, some very painful, are told without rancor and viewers can feel the enthusiasm of the older generation about building China and being part of the new nation.
Quick, quick, slow takes place in a non-defined neighborhood in Shanghai, and is to be released nationwide on October 8, with both English and Chinese subtitles. It also will be screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival from October 15-25.
For info on when and where you can listen to these voices from the past, as well as enjoy their funky dancemoves, visit cityweekend.com.
Check out what other movies are showing in Shanghai this coming week after the jump. Links lead to info about times and venues.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE MOVIES
State of Play: Based on a BBC TV series, Kevin MacDonald´s latest fictional thriller stars Russell Crowe as a Washington Globe journalist who begins investigating the death of people close to his former boss, promising congressman Stephen Collins. Trouble ensues. In Mandarin or English depending on the cinema.
CHINESE LANGUAGE MOVIES
The Warrior and The Wolf (Lang zai ji): This costume fantasy drama is the latest production by China´s influential director and producer Tian Zhuangzhuang. Set in the Qing Dynasty, the plot follows a warrior and his foreign lover. Their romantic encounters lead to a supernatural event. Japanese star Joe Odagiri, Taiwanese actor Tuo Zonghua and American diva Maggie Q star. Mandarin only.
Wheat: Award-winning Chinese director He Ping creates a new costume drama featuring Wang Zhiwen, Fan Bingbing, Huang Jue and Wang Ji. The film opened to enthusiastic crowds at this year´s Shanghai International Film Festival and follows the adventures of two army deserters in an entirely female kingdom during the Warring States Period. Mandarin only.
Copy Cat: In Copy Cat, a guy's life falls into chaos after he accidentally discovers a bootleg disc factory.
My Fair Gentleman (窈窕绅士, Yao Tiao Shen Shi): My Fair Gentleman" follows the romantic pursuit of a newly rich businessman obsessed with a female entertainer. Through the hilarious quest for a woman he thinks is the love of his life, the vulgar rich man transforms himself, as well as the object of his affection. In the end, he becomes a perfect gentleman.
Jing Tian Dong Di (惊天动地): Local directors Wang Jia and Shen Dong celebrate the upcoming national holiday with their latest disaster flick. Shot in the earthquake-stricken areas of Sichuan, "Jing Tian Dong Di" recalls the quake by following one of the PLA´s rescue troupes in this fictional retelling. The cast of well-known actors includes Li Youbin, You Yong and Hou Yong. Mandarin only.
The Women in War: The Six Sisters from Yimeng (Zhan Zheng Zhong De Nü Ren - Yi Meng Liu Jie Mei): In 1947, six women volunteer to prepare rations and supplies for the communist soldiers, who are fighting a bloody battle against the Nationalist government troops. Mandarin.
Royal Tattoo (Huang Jia Ci Qing, 皇家刺青): The film is a costume kung fu comedy with a mix of a Chinese version of Prison Break. It´s a humorous reinterpretation of a classic plot about a Qing Dynasty royal secret treasure and tattoo treasure map.
The Message (Feng Sheng, 风声): "The Message" is set in Japanese-occupied China in 1942. It tells a story of a Japanese spy chief trying to identify a Chinese agent from a group of suspects. Produced by China's leading entertainment producer Huayi Brothers, the film is the company's tribute to the 60th birthday of the People's Republic of China. Riding the popularity of the TV series and play of the same name, this espionage flick features Zhou Xun, Zhang Hanyu and Li Bingbing. Mandarin only.
Shen Bing Xiao Jiang (神兵小将): An animated feature based on Wong Yuk Long's manhua series, directed by the comic creator himself.
The King of Milu Deer (麋鹿王): Claiming to be China's first animated 3D blockbuster, The King of Milu Deer is about a deer-turned girl and her lover, who together try to save the Milu deer species from villains. Featuring the voices of such stars as Ge You and Li Yang.
Prequel of the Monkey King (齐天大圣－前传): After two and a half years in production, "Prequel of the Monkey King," has hit the big screen. The film was produced by country's best minds in the field of 3D animation. The prequel is loosely based on the first five acts of, Journey to the West, by the famous Qing Dynasty writer Wu Cheng'en. Apart from a few imaginative touches, the film grabs the most attention with its use of 3D technology. The film's characters, a dragon king and a little monkey, appears to leap off the screen.
Snake Curse (She Zhou, 蛇咒): For the lovers of bad cinema everywhere, here comes what looks like one supremely cheesy Chinese B-Horror, titled Snake Curse. Apparently the film was originally released back in around 1995, but for some reason it´s now set to get a second theatrical release in mainland China. The plotrevolves around a mad scientists experiments in blending human and snake DNA - the result being a Medusa like femme fatale, who goes on a killing spree. A berserk Chinese killer snake monster movie that promises to deliver maximum amounts of kung fu, snake fu, snake woman fu, and Gordon Liu.
Tian An Men (天安门): Prestigious director Ye Daying creates a history drama to celebrate the 60th anniversary of China. As the last film of Ye's revolutionary trilogy, Tian An Men features Guo Keyu, Xu Xiaoli and Pan Yueming. The film is set during the Tian An Men's restoration in 1949 for the Founding Ceremony of P.R.C. Mandarin only.
Ke ai de Zhong Guo (可爱的中国): A bio-pic of Fang Zhimi, a senior Chinese Red Army leader executed by the Nationalist government in 1934.
The Foundation Of A Republic (建国大业): This offering from China Film Board chairman Sanping Han tells the story of the founding of the PRC, in celebration of the country's birthday. Chinese megacelebrities Chen Kaige , Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Chen Daoming and Ge You star. Mandarin only.
Eternal Beloved (爱有来生): Yu Feihong is now back in the spotlight with her directorial debut Eternal Beloved. This ghost story revolves around an ancient gingko tree and tells a tragic romantic tale that crosses between the dead and the living.Co-starring in the movie is Yu Feihong herself and actor Duan Yihong.
OTHER LANGUAGE MOVIES
Scandal Makers: Head over to watch this ubiquitous Korean romantic comedy featuring Cha Tae-hyeon and Park Bao-young. Cha stars as a show talk presenter whose program gains instant popularity from a single mother's story. However, Cha's life is turned upside down when the single mother shows up at his home with her six-year-old son. Language TBD
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