China Through Cinema Presents 'The Arch,' One of China's First Art Films this Sunday

Get over to Culture Yard this Sunday (Feb 21) as they continue their China Through Cinema series by screening one of the first Chinese art films titled The Arch (1970). Directed by Cecile Tong, one of the few female film directors working in Hong Kong in the 60s and 70s.

The film examines the life of a wealthy widow in an 18th-century village, who has accepts praise and is deified by fellow villagers because of her virtuous behavior. When a troop of soldiers arrive to protect the village's farmers from bandits, the widow and her daughter both attract the attention of the troop captain, and the mother must pick between her attraction to this outsider or do what’s best for her daughter who has also taken a liking to this man in uniform.

With luminous black and white cinematography from the legendary Satyajit Ray collaborator Subrata Mitra and editing by famed documentary filmmaker Les Blank, The Arch is recognized as the precursor to the Hong Kong New Wave movement.

There is limited space at this screening so make sure you reserve a seat by filling in the form here. Entrance to the event is RMB 50, or RMB 20 for Culture Yard students. Check the event listing for more info.

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Email: danielkippwhittaker@thebeijinger.com

Image: scmp.com