05 February 2012
Newsdesk
BFI Southbank welcomes in the Year of the Dragon throughout February with a selection of classic and contemporary Chinese feature films dealing with themes of age (A Simple Life 2011), sport (Woman Basketball Player No. 5 1957) and philosophy (Confucius whilst a programme of important documentary work rarely seen in the West, Unseen China, describes the experiences of ordinary people and is introduced by Chinese film expert, Jingjing Xie,
A Simple Life Tao Jie
Hong Kong-China 2011. Dir Ann Hui. With Deanie Ip, Andy Lau. 117min. Cantonese with EST. (Unconfirmed)
Critically acclaimed Hong Kong ‘New Wave’ director Ann Hui tackles the challenge of growing old in a moving and contemplative film. The story follows the relationship between a 40-something man and his family’s amah, who has been in their employ for 60 years. After she suffers a stroke, they reverse roles and he looks after her. Working with an excellent script and cast (Deanie Ip won the Best Actress award at Venice), Hui combines elements of satire, rich characterisation and several amusing star cameos.
Fri 17 Feb 14:00 NFT1*
Wed 22 Feb 18:20 NFT2
*Seniors’ matinee
Seniors’ Free Matinee: Woman Basketball Player No. 5 Nu lan wu hao
China 1957. Dir Xin Jie. With Chaoming Cui, Yi Qin. 89min. Mandarin with EST
Don’t be put off by the English title: on its release this film caused a quiet explosion in Chinese cinema. As the first sports movie in colour it gripped audiences with its vitality, pace and melodrama. The tragic past of a stoic and weathered coach inspires Shanghai’s female basketball team on towards greater heights. Outstanding director Xie Jin gives plot and direction priority in this drama set against the backdrop of a new China.
Introduction by Chris Berry, Goldsmiths, University of London
Free for over-60s; otherwise tickets available at normal matinee prices
Mon 6 Feb 14:00 NFT1
Confucius Kong Zi
China 2010. Dir Hu Mei. With Chow Yun-Fat, Xun Zhou, Yi Lu. 125min. Digital. Mandarin with EST. 15
Set at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, when civil war and social upheaval were violently bringing an end to the feudal system of the Zhou Dynasty, Hu Mei’s biopic dramatises the life and belief of the legendary Chinese sage and shows the often difficult conversion of idea into action. Starring Hong Kong icon Chow Yun Fat, it features exquisitely colour- coded set design and costumes, impressive wide-screen spectacle and superb battle sequences.
Screened in partnership with Filming East Festival and China Film Promotion International
Sat 4 Feb 14:10 NFT2*
Wed 8 Feb 18:10 NFT2
*With an introduction
Unseen China
Independent documentary is arguably the most powerful means for Chinese filmmakers to capture and articulate the dramatic and profound changes sweeping the vast nation. Rarely seen by western audiences, this selection of recent films describes the experiences of ordinary people which resonate across the world. Including an introduction and discussion with Chinese documentary professionals, this event will shed light on China’s current reality and provide insights into traditional Chinese culture from a refreshing perspective. Tide (Chao) captures China’s traditional Spring Festival in 2008, when millions of people returning home faced the coldest winter in 100 years. My Four-Fen Land (Wo De Si Fen Di) portrays peasant life oblivious to world turbulence Viewpoint (Guan Dian) illustrates the complexities of a labour market. Water and Land (Shui Shang An Shang) is a dramatic portrait of a young woman struggling to realise her dreams. Brave Father (Fu Qin) narrates the heart-rending efforts of a parent to support his son’s future.
Introduced by Jingjing Xie (former film programmer for the Guangzhou International Documentary Festival, and film curator, China Culture Connect) and Xuhua Zhan (art curator, China Culture Connect)
Sat 25 Feb 14:00 NFT2
