Art Attack: RZA’s Kung Fu Movie, Night of the Living Dead, EUFF, Used Books and More

Buzz is building for The Man with the Iron Fists, the bloodbath of a movie written and directed by (and starring) RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan. View the trailer here, then decide just how insane this is going to be. Plus, a change of date for Green Screens (the movie night for those who love the earth), used books galore at The Bookworm, yet another Gangnam Style tribute, a violin prodigy in town and tons more.

Legend says that RZA has been working on The Man with the Iron Fists since 2005, recruiting Eli Roth to help write the script, and even convincing Quentin Tarantino to lend his name with a “Presented by” tag. Check out the trailer. I’m pretty sure at one point, there is an actual eyeball flying straight at us. Can someone please verify?

The film, shot mostly in China (including Shanghai), is RZA’s tribute to martial arts. The soundtrack also just came out earlier this week, with the likes of Kanye, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli and Freddie Gibbs in the mix. And with all things Wu-Tang, you can bet the guerilla marketing will be through the roof. Already there’s a Facebook name generator and a remix competition on Soundcloud.

Worldwide release is next Friday, Nov 2. Anyone wanna take bets on whether this flick will ever make it to China?

On a calmer note, the International Festival Chorus celebrates ten years with a concert this Saturday featuring violinist Kenneth Renshaw and the Peking Sinfonietta. Check out our interview with the prodigy here, then see below for details on the show.

Green Screens, the movie night that’s good for the environment, was originally scheduled for October 23 but was bumped this week to November 2 instead. So apologies if you showed up at The Hutong on Tuesday expecting some deep sea action. The ocean documentary and screening of The Life Aquatic will take place a week from today.

In other movie news, George Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead will screen at a special Halloween Movie Night hosted by Electric Shadows on October 31.

The Bookworm’s hosting another used book sale, with novels, nonfiction, classics, thrillers, children’s books and more, all at RMB 5 each. If you’re planning to stay indoors for the next five months straight, you might want to go stock up.
Also, another fat man who gets in trouble with the law has followed in PSY’s footsteps by making his own Gangnam Style video. Read all about the fat artist’s version here, then watch it on Youtube. (You’ll have to climb the GFW for this one.)

It’s another packed week. See more events below, including a performance by slam poet Luka Lesson tonight, some great dance performances, a dinner with LA Times Beijing bureau chief Barbara Demick and the start of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF). Have fun out there!

Oct 26
Amber Lights/Please Resist Me: Luka Lesson
Lesson advocates for marginalized communities in Australia, teaching them expression through hip-hop and poetry. Don’t miss out on new work from his latest show. See Feature, p54. RMB 50. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Oct 26-Oct 28
Blind Summit Puppets: The Table
Through Oct 28. The guys behind the giant Voldemort puppet at Danny Boyle’s Olympic opening ceremonies in London come to Beijing with an existential puppet show. See Feature, p53. RMB 150-280, RMB 60 (students). 7.30pm. Oriental Pioneer Theatre (6527 6911, 6559 7394)

Oct 27
International Festival Chorus and Peking Sinfonietta
The IFC continues its ten-year anniversary celebrations by featuring 18-year-old violin star Kenneth Renshaw. RMB 100-480. 7.30pm. Beijing Concert Hall (6605 7006)

Oct 29
Suspiria
Suzy enrolls at a ballet school haunted by strange sounds and mysterious deaths. Free. 9pm. Dada (137 6495 1613)

Oct 30-31
Dance: Entity by Wayne McGregor
One of the world’s most exciting contemporary choreographers creates yet another amalgam of bodies, light and music. Also Oct 31. RMB 80-480. 7.30pm. NCPA (6655 0000)

Oct 30-Nov 2
Dance: Cloud Gate 2
Cloud Gate gets huge buzz all around the world. Here’s another chance to see them in Beijing, as part of the NCPA’s 2012 Dance Festival. Also Nov 1. RMB 180-580. 7.30pm. NCPA (6655 0000)

Oct 31
Halloween Movie Night
Spooky themed drinks and snacks plus a screening of George Romero’s zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead. RMB 30. 7.30pm. The Hutong (6406 9955)

Nov 1
Dance: Cloud Gate 2
Cloud Gate gets huge buzz all around the world. Here’s another chance to see them in Beijing, as part of the NCPA’s 2012 Dance Festival. RMB 180-580. 7.30pm. NCPA (6655 0000)

Oct 31-Nov 4
Mime: Invisible Bridge
French mime Philippe Bizot celebrates his 40 years in “the speechless art.” Price TBD. 7.30pm. Penghao Theater (6400 6452)

Nov 1
Dinner with Barbara Demick
Hear all about the award-winning journalist’s tenure in China. For updated info, see www.85broadsbeijing.com. RMB 200 (members), RMB 250 (non-members), additional RMB 50 at the door. 6.30-9.30pm. Venue TBD

Nov 1
Talk: Musicals in China
Musical director-actor-writer Joseph Graves discusses bringing Broadway to China. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Nov 1-2
Film: Missing
This filmed theatrical production is a psychological study of darkness from the innovative Gecko Theatre. Part of the UK Now Festival. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students), RMB 25-30 (members). Time TBD. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Musical: The Monster in the Hall
David Greig’s wildly popular romp from the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Part of the UK Now Festival. Price and time TBD. Nine Theater (8599 1188)

EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL (THIS WEEK)
Fish ‘n Chips (cyprus)
Nov 1: RMB 40. 7pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)
Nov 2: RMB 40. 2pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

Orient Express (Romania)
Nov 1: RMB 15. 7pm. UCCA (8459 9269)

Lessons of a Dream (Germany; German with chinese subtitles only)
Nov 2: RMB 40. 7pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

Simon and the Oak (Sweden)
Nov 2: RMB 15. 7pm. UCCA (8459 9269)

Photo: www.sylwiagrzeszczak.com