Join us for a visual banquet of Chinese movies, from rare classics of the 1920s to kung-fu and gangster flicks, romantic comedies, documentaries, experimental films, and the works of renowned directors like Zhang Yimou and Taiwan’s Ang Lee. (Films have either English soundtrack or English subtitles). Each session is preceded by a short introductory talk and followed by informal discussion.
When: First Sunday of every month, 2 p.m.
Where: Theatrette, 1st floor
How much: FREE
Contact: Phyllis Rowlinson: prowlinson[at]whiterabbitcollection.org, tel. (02) 83992867
Program:
March 7: The Red Detachment of Women (pictured) (Xie Jin, 1961)
Set in the tumultuous 1930s, Red Detachment follows the fortunes of a lowly maid, Wu Qinghua (Zhu Xi Juan) who flees the clutches of an evil landlord (Chen Qian). She joins the Communist Party and leads the women’s army. The film was later adapted as a ballet and a Beijing Opera, which were sanctioned as “model plays” during the Cultural Revolution.
April 4: Hero (Zhang Yimou, 2002)
The King of the state of Qin is stalked by multiple assassins, including Broken Sword, Flying Snow and Sky. He has offered immense riches to anyone who can defeat this fearsome trio, yet for a decade no one has claimed the prize. One day, the enigmatic Nameless (Jet Li) appears bearing the legendary weapons of the assassins, and explains to the King how he won them. But after listening intently, the King proceeds to tell his own, quite different story of how Nameless came to be there.
