Michael Jackson Documentary, Upcoming Film Festivals and more

The other day, late for work, I hop into a cab, anxiously drumming my fingers across the window ledge while waiting for the light to turn green. “Thriller” comes on the radio, and before the werewolf’s howl had even ended, my cabbie has cranked it up, saying, “Ah, zheshou ge jiushi zui niude” which roughly translates as “Aw yeah, this my jam.” We start talking about Michael and soon the cabbie is breaking down the music video play by play – (“Oh, right now, this part is where his eyes turn yellow”) and by the time we pull up to the next light, we’re both doing the “Thriller” dance, with speakers blasting and all the windows rolled down. The driver next to us looks over, and just smiles and starts bobbing his head.

Sigh. This Is It. What should have been the concert of a lifetime has become the tribute movie to stamp the end of Michael Jackson’s career. Well, at least you won’t have to go to London to see it. The documentary feature film about the lead-up to the sold-out concert series, which includes interviews and behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, was released worldwide on October 28, and will play for at least two weeks in Beijing. So long, Michael. You touched millions of people in ways they will never want to forget.

The contemporary art world has seen better days too, as an October Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong suggests. Zhang Xiaogang, whose “The Records” exhibition runs until November 15 at Pace Beijing gallery, still managed to pull a million-dollar price tag, but overall, results were disappointing. Off the block, news is better – Chinese new media artist Cao Fei has been nominated for the coveted Hugo Boss Prize for her contribution to contemporary art.

There’s several festivals going on this month. The European Union Film Festival (Nov 5-Dec 4) is screening selections from member nations, while Nordox’s Nordic Documentary Film Festival (Nov 21-Dec 5) shows us what’s been going on way up north. The NCPA Dance and Drama Festival is just getting started – the American Ballet Theater’s debut China performance (Nov 12-15) begins a string of noteworthy events that will stretch into December.

Greening the Beige is holding their annual festival from November 21-28. This year’s theme is Re-Energize Beijing, and the energy-focused events include film screenings, art exhibits, stage performances, green pub quizzes, and a dance party that goes on till the break of dawn, or until the world’s energy supply becomes carbon-neutral – whichever comes first.