Screen Time: Don’t Mention “Russia” & Argentinean Cinema Come to Town
In film news this week we have more new Chinese filmmakers at BC MOMA and Trainspotting, Iron Man 2 suffers some bizarre censorship and Argentinean cinema rolls into town.
It’s no secret China not only heavily restricts the import of foreign films, but also subjects them to often clumsy censorship. The latest example is reportedly Iron Man 2, which is currently playing around town. Earlier this week the Shanghaiist had a post claiming “all spoken references to ‘Russia’ or ‘Russian’” had been rendered inaudible in the film. You can read all about it here.
While we’re on the subject of Hollywood movies, Shrek Forever After is slated to open in Beijing next Friday, in – you guessed it – 3D.
From Hollywood to Chollywood: Chinese director Zhang Yimou – or at least his lawyer – was in court this week in a case related to Zhang’s 2005 film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. According to China Daily: “The Anshun city culture authority sued Zhang, film producer Zhang Weiping and the film distribution company for not crediting the local Di Opera for performers who appeared in the film.”
In more local news, the long-standing Beijing screening group Cherry Lane Movies, who in recent years have been mainly based at Yugong Yishan, have changed their name too “Cherry Movies Club.” The announcement said only the change had been made for “some reason.” The groups new website is here, though they don’t have any screenings currently scheduled.
In contrast, BC MOMA continue their busy “Young Filmmakers Showcase” this weekend with Crossing the Mountain, the debut from local director Yang Rui. According to the Hong Kong International Film Festival program, Crossing the Mountain focuses on “China's Wa people who live near the Burmese border… a look inside a group of passionate youth who struggle to balance the traditional values of their people and modernity.”
Crossing the Mountain is in Wa dialect with English subtitles, and will screen at 4pm on Saturday , May 15; and 4pm on Sunday, May 23. Tickets RMB 30. Both sessions will feature a Q&A with director Yang Rui.
If you missed the earlier films in the BC MOMA showcase, The Search, Knitting and Judge are still screening – see here for times. All films have English subtitles.
Trainspotting in Fangjia Hutong also regularly screens new Chinese features with English subtitles, and the directors are usually on hand to answer questions. At 2pm on Sunday May 23 you can see The Land by He Jia, described as “A film about a man who returns to his Miao village in Yunnan, only to find nothing matches the wrinkled photo of the people he left behind.” Entry is free.
Last but not least, if you’re looking for something that’s neither Hollywood or Chinese cinema, next Friday Instituto Cervantes and the Argentinean Embassy kick off a series of Argentinean films. The screenings are at Instituto Cervantes and are free. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles.
Here’s the program:
7pm, May 21 and 22
El abrazo partido (Lost Embrace)
A comedy about Jewish-Argentinean Ariel Makaroff, who has left the University of Architecture and spends his time trying to get his Polish passport and move to Europe. Winner, Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Int'l Film Festival 2004.
7pm, May 28 and 29
Luna de Avellaneda (Moon of Avellaneda)
A community in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, fight for the survival of a social and sports club before it is bought and a casino is built in its place.
7pm, June 4 and 5
Herencia (Inheritance)
A young German, enters a restaurant where he accidentally ends up with a plate smashing into his head…
7pm, June 11 and 12
La suerte está echada (The Die Is Cast)
Two half brothers who don't meet very often get together to complete their father's last will. Both of them are unemployed and the subject of a curse.
7pm, June 18
La antena (The Aerial)
With a nod to Guy Maddin and silent cinema, La antena is an enchanting, monochrome fable of media manipulation and power. In a surrealistic unnamed city, Mr TV controls the broadcast media and through it the people, who’ve literally been left voiceless by his greed.
7pm, June 25 and 26
El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes)
Winner of the 2010 Best Foreign Film Oscar
Retired criminal-court employee and his former superior revisit an unresolved case from years before, revisiting their own personal relationship, their job and the tumultuous situation of the country.
