Beijing's Film Festivals: The Bad News and the Less Bad News
By now you've all heard about the Beijing Documentary Film Festival pulling the plug on itself last week, as reported by the Global Times. The announcement made by organizers of the Li Xianting Film Fund - the festival's host - was made just two weeks prior to the festival's run from May 1-7 in Songzhuang.
This makes for sad news heading into the well-funded but still somewhat poorly-organized and halfheartedly-publicized official Beijing International Film Festival.
It feels a bit like the principal bullied Little Billy into not bringing cupcakes to celebrate his birthday, only to let Billy's mean old teacher bring treats to celebrate hers. No matter how big a sweet tooth you might have, it'll just leave a bad taste in your mouth.
That said, many of us are so starved for exciting filmgoing experiences here in Beijing that many of the BIFF offerings might start to look good.
While the selection's still far from being able to earn Beijing a mark on the global map as a world-class cinema city, there are a few highlights to check out.
The full screening schedule is available at their website, but unfortunately the English site is still devoid of information. If you click through on some of the links, it'll show film information in Chinese and English, so it's not completely useless if you don't read Chinese.
Besides screenings, there are also discussions and events, which you can learn about (in English) here.
Below are some of the more interesting films to catch, from Oscar picks to Kazakh, Korean and Serbian films, and more:
127 Hours《127小时》
Ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? No, I mean really?
Saturday, April 23, 4pm. Star City
Sunday, April 24, 4pm. Capital Huarong Film Art Center
Animal Kingdom《动物王国》
The orphan of a heroin-overdosed mother is taken in by his grandmother only to join her organized crime operation.
Wednesday, April 27, 4pm. Wanda International Cinema (CBD)
Thursday, April 28, 2pm. Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
Black Swan《黑天鹅》
Natalie Portman in a ballet thriller. The big question is, what will they do with the girl-on-girl scene?
Sunday, April 24, 4pm. 新影联华
Monday, April 25, 8pm. Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
Wednesday, April 27, 8pm. Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
Burnt by the Sun《烈日灼人》
The story of Stalin's Great Purge on his Red Army, and its effects on one senior officer and his family.
Monday, April 25, 4pm, Wanda International Cinema (CBD)
Children of Invention 《自力更生》
Two kids have to fend for themselves when their mother disappears.
Tuesday, April 26, 8pm. Wanda Cinema, CBD - 北京万达电影城CBD店
Wednesday, April 27, 2pm. Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
*Young lead actor Michael Chen will be present at the screening to speak with the audience.
I Wish I Knew《海上传奇》
Jia Zhangke's critically acclaimed portrait of Shanghai's history.
Sunday, April 24, 8pm. Film Museum of China
The King's Speech《国王的演讲》
Who knew Colin Firth could stutter so well?
Monday, April 25, 8pm. Saga Cinema 传奇时代影城
Wednesday, April 27, 8pm. Saga Cinema 传奇时代影城
Kooky《玩具熊回家路》
A fantastically-realized animation about a stuffed animal coming alive.
Tuesday, April 26, 4:00pm at Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
Tuesday, April 26, 8:00pm at Sanlitun Village Megabox - 美嘉欢乐影城三里屯店
Mary and Max《玛丽和马克思》
A quirky, mildly dark claymation about a pair of unlikely pen pals.
Sunday, April 24, 4pm. Jinyi Cinema, Zhongguancun
Monday, April 25, 8pm. Polybona Cinema
Ondine《水中仙》
Badboy Colin Farrell gets nautical with a mermaid.
Monday April 25, 4pm at Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
Wednesday April 27, 4:00pm at Saga Cinema - 传奇时代影城
*Cinematographer Christopher Doyle will be present at the Wednesday screening.
The Paper Prince 《纸王子》
Originally a celebrated short film, this Serbian flick follows Julia's escapades as she gets her parents into and out of trouble.
Saturday, April 23, 4pm. Saga Cinema - 传奇时代影城
Wednesday, April 27, 8pm. Jin Bao Jie Cinema Palace - 金宝汇百丽宫影院
*Director Marko Kostic will be present at the Wednesday screening.
The Social Network《社交网络》
Movie showings: 2. Number of times Facebook got blocked while you were watching: 23489238789783.
Saturday, April 23, 8pm. Wanda International Cinema (Shijingshan location)
Sunday, April 24, 4pm. UME International Cineplex
True Grit
Coen brothers + Jeff Bridges > or < Henry Hathaway + John Wayne?
Saturday, April 23, 4pm, Wanda International Cinema (CBD)
Sunday, April 24, 8pm. Stellar International Cinemas (Huilongguang)
Tulpan《图班嫁给我》
The stories of a Kazakh sheepherding family in a barren landscape.
Saturday, April 23, 8pm. Polybona Cinema
Welcome to Dongmakgol《欢迎来到东莫村》
Soldiers north and south of the DMZ and an American pilot find out what a life without war might look like.
Saturday, April 23, 4pm. 世界城星美影城
Photo from flickr user candy:land.
