Art Attack: Wong Kar-Wai’s Yip Man, Chinese Sci-Fi and European Shorts

This week, we’ve got the trailer for the new film starring Tony Leung as martial arts master Yip Man, news about a popular Chinese sci-fi series coming to the English-speaking world, and tons to do over the weekend, including short films from the European Union Film Fest (EUFF), more mimes, movies galore and art gallery updates.

With Skyfall’s China release pushed back and not a caped crusader in sight until next summer, theater junkies might need something to tide us over. Luckily, Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai is delivering, in the form of his long-awaited martial arts film, The Grandmasters. Though Wong’s moody, atmospheric films are not known for being action-packed, he does know his way around a kung fu scene (see Ashes of Time, 1994). The trailer makes the film look abso-freakin’-lutely amazing. We may be used to seeing Donnie Yen playing Bruce Lee’s teacher, but I’m excited to see the debonair Tony Leung tackle the role.

And of course, Zhang Ziyi is looking as mysterious and supple as ever. The movie hits theaters here December 18. See you at the box office, folks.

On to nerdier news. The “Three Body” trilogy, one of China’s most popular science fiction series (though there aren’t that many to begin with) is being translated by our friends at the Paper Republic, with the first of three volumes published in the first half of next year and the third volume finishing up translation by the end of 2013. If you’ve ever wondered how Chinese sensibilities would handle aliens, this will be a good way to find out.

By now you may have caught a flick or two as part of the EUFF. If not, you have a chance this weekend to catch more bite-size bits. Electric Shadows is hosting screenings of short films over at the UCCA, both Saturday and Sunday nights. Highlights on Saturday include a stunning Estonian short called "White Square," a really fantastic, quirky, funny Dutch film called "Jacco’s Film" and an experimental view of contemporary Cyprus called "Against," with discussion to follow. On Sunday, highlights at the 6.30pm screening include an award-winning Hungarian documentary about arsenic murders in the 1920s and a Super 8 journey around Malta, with the 8pm screening featuring Portugal’s first Palm D’Or winner and a Finnish documentary about the absurdities of the global economy.

Three Shadows will be closed for winter from November 19, 2012 until March 8, 2013, though their current exhibits have now been extended to November 18. Appointments are still available during the winter closure (except on Mondays), so you can call them at 6432 2663 ext 8000 to book. Check their website for details and updates.

And of course, more events below, including the Stuttgart Ballet, mime performances by the wonderful Frenchman Bizot and tons of other movie screenings to check out. Enjoy.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Nov 9
Film: The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye
A performance artist and his wife undergo daring sexual transformations for their art project, “Pandrogyne.” In French with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 7.30pm. Alliance Française, Gongti location (6553 2678)

Nov 9-10
Ballet: Lady of the Camellias
It’s La Traviata, but with tutus. Courtesy of the Stuttgart Ballet. Part of the NCPA Dance Festival. Price and time TBD. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)

Nov 9-11
Mime: Postscript of the Kids
French mime Bizot shows us what happens to the heroes of books and films after the story ends. Price TBD. 7.30pm. Penghao Theater (6400 6452)

Nov 10
Film: Glenn Gould: Hereafter
A look back at the musical genius, made as if narrated by Gould himself and using a wealth of archival material. In French with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 7.30pm. Alliance Française, Gongti location (6553 2678)

Film: Bluff
A building is slated for demolition until an inspector finds something shocking in the basement. In Spanish with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 6pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666)

Nov 10-12
Film: Same Old Song
Odile fights a dull marriage while her sister Camille wards off untrustworthy suitors. In French with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 7.30pm. Alliance Francaise, Gongti location (6553 2678)

Nov 11
Film: Les Desmoiselles de Rochefort
Catherine Deneuve stars in this languorous film about looking for love. In French with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 3pm. Alliance Francaise, Gongti location (6553 2678)

Film: Mamà, tòmate la sopa
A bald and aging mama’s boy falls for the owner of a beauty salon. In Spanish with Chinese and English subtitles. Free. 5pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666)

Nov 12
Film: Ms. 45
A mute seamstress goes on a killing spree. Free. 9pm. Dada (183 1108 0818; see Nightlife directory)

Nov 14
Film: A State of Mind
Follow two young gymnasts and their families in the lead-up to the Mass Games. RMB 40. 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar & Café (6506 8277; see Nightlife directory)

Mime: You and Me
Louise loves Sara, but does Sara love Louise? Price TBD. 7.30pm. Penghao Theater (6400 6452)

ART EXHIBITS ENDING SOON:
Axel Gerber: Shadows/Highlights
Until Nov 10. The painter from Berlin shows off his playful studies of opposites. Free. XYZ Gallery (5762 3017)

Kan Xuan: Millet Mound
Until Nov 10. Kan’s stop-motion photography of historic burial sites fuses past and present. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

Fashion Film
Until Nov 11. An extensive exhibit bringing together fashion films from the UK and China. Part of the UK Now Festival. RMB 10, free (students). UCCA (8459 9269)

Words We Have Learned Since 9-11
Until Nov 18. Los Angeles-based visual artist Clayton Campbell started this participatory photo project in 2004, and this marks its first entry into China (see p40). Free. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (6432 2663)

EXHIBITS, NEW THIS MONTH:
Martin Parr: Luxury and Beaches
Nov 3-26. The British documentary photographer captures modern life like you’ve never seen it. Free. Pekin Fine Arts (5127 3220)

Christina Chow: There Would Be Light
All month. Chow brings her Taiwanese, South American and New York sensibilities to Beijing with a series of oil paintings and wooden blocks. Temple Hotel (8400 2232)

EUFF
Anonymous (UK)
Nov 9: RMB 40. 2pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

Sonny Boy (The Netherlands)
Nov 9: RMB 40. 7pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)
Nov 10: RMB 40. 2pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

Empties (Czech Republic)
Nov 9: RMB 15. 7pm. UCCA (8459 9269)

Turquaze (Belgium)
Nov 10: RMB 40. 7pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)
Nov 11: RMB 40. 2pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

EUFF Shorts
Nov 10: RMB 15. 7pm. UCCA (8459 9269)
Nov 11: RMB 15. 6.30pm, 8pm. UCCA (8459 9269)

The Graveyard Keeper’s Daughter (Estonia)
Nov 11: RMB 40. 7pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)
Nov 12: RMB 40. 2pm. Sanlitun Megabox (6417 6118)

Something More About Love (Bulgaria)
Nov 12: Free. 7.30pm. Italian Embassy Cultural Office (6532 5015)

In a Better World (Denmark)
Nov 13: Free. 7.30pm. Embassy of Poland (6532 1235 ext 281)

Nine and a Half Dates (Hungary)
Nov 14: Free. 7.30pm. Alliance Francaise (Gongti) (6553 2678)

La Kryptonite (Italy)
Nov 15: Free. 7.30pm. Italian Embassy Cultural Office (6532 5015)

Photo: Flicksandbits.com