Mainland Movie Releases to Help You Escape the Heat This Summer
Whether you prefer Beijing's sweltering summers or frigid winters (and when we say prefer, we definitely mean would rather tolerate), there's only so much of a beating sun that one person can take. Fortunately, there are a few films that might make the trek to an air-conditioned cinema totally worth it.
Cinema Paradiso (Mainland Release Date: Jun 11, 2021)
This timeless classic by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore – who also directed The Legend of 1900 and Malèna – is finally getting a Mainland release. Although all three of these films are – to a certain extent – autobiographical, compared to 1900's aloof sensibilities or the tender teenage dreams in Malèna, Cinema Paradiso is a decidedly more mundane but sincerely personal perspective that reveals the protagonist's deep and abiding bond with cinematography, his hometown, and his childhood.
Countless individuals have been inspired by Cinema Paradiso since it was first released 33 years ago in Italy, and now Chinese audiences will have the opportunity to catch it on the silver screen as well. If you've ever been touched by a movie, then take it from me – this is not one you'll want to miss.
The Father (Mainland Release Date: Jun 18, 2021)
While every disease is devastating in its own right, they don't all manifest as physical pain and suffering. Some are much more insidious, lurking like demons in the dark. The sad fact is that no matter how intelligent some people are, Alzheimer's disease is a greedy beast that devours its victims' past and pride. Whether it be names, dates, or entire relationships, victims often find themselves trapped in an unfamiliar world, surrounded by people they no longer recognize.
The Father is a screen-adaption of the French stage drama penned by Florian Zeller, who also served as director for the film. Zeller is known for his dark humor, caustic wit, and trenchant way of dissecting the vague, but frustratingly complex intimate relationships in our life.
Promare (Mainland Release Date: Jun 5, 2021)
Looking for something a little less emotionally draining? Then why not set your soul ablaze with another blood-boiling, mind-blowing animation produced by Studio Trigger?
Inheriting the traditions that set Studio Trigger apart from the pack, Promare is an animation that dazzles with explosive colors, imaginative story-telling, and a healthy dose of classic Japanese humor. Though I have to admit, this isn't the finest production from director and studio co-founder Hiroyuki Imaishi (see KILL la KILL or Tengen Toppa for example). Nevertheless, Promare stands a good chance of being this year's most unique and exciting anime released in theatres.
Cruella (Mainland Release Date: Jun 6, 2021)
As you've probably heard, another classic Disney character has been given a new, hi-res life, and this time it's a villain. Cruella de Vil is equal parts nightmare fodder and fashion icon, and this new origin story does justice to both.
The live-action adaption digs into the iconic villain’s childhood and adolescence, revealing why she chose such a dark path in life. Two brilliant actresses, Emma Stone and Emma Thompson, wield both style and deception as their weapons of choice in 1970s London. It's said that it's a fine line to draw between genius and maniac, and this story is perhaps the perfect manifestation of that aphorism.
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Images courtesy of the corresponding movie publishing and producing companies
