https://thechinaproject.com All things China. Fri, 19 May 2023 17:38:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://thechinaproject.com/2023/05/19/review-born-to-fly-chinas-heavy-handed-top-gun-knockoff/ Fri, 19 May 2023 07:17:00 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=275065 Review: 'Born to Fly,' China’s heavy-handed 'Top Gun' knockoff – The China Project Caught between a bare-bones script, bland visuals, and bellicose nationalism, "Born to Fly," the story of China’s elite test pilots, is destined to crash and burn. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2023/04/21/eat-bitter-personalizes-chinas-relationship-with-the-central-african-republic/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 07:00:16 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=273641 'Eat Bitter' personalizes China's relationship with the Central African Republic – The China Project In the documentary "Eat Bitter," co-directors Sun Ningyi and Pascale Appora-Gnekindy offer a depoliticized, if at times dismissive, look into the lives of a Chinese construction manager and a Central African laborer. Africa,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2023/04/07/qa-with-qiao-sixue-director-of-the-cord-of-life/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:11:01 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=273065 Steppe songs on the silver screen: Q&A with Qiao Sixue, director of ‘The Cord of Life’ – The China Project Inner Mongolian filmmaker Qiao Sixue discusses her debut feature, the musical and cinematic tradition of ethnic Mongolians in China, and the emergence of the “Inner Mongolian New Wave.” Film Friday,Interview,Mongolia https://thechinaproject.com/2023/03/17/for-all-its-acclaim-the-wandering-earth-2-fails-its-women-characters/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:34:45 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=272031 For all its acclaim, ‘The Wandering Earth 2’ fails its women characters – The China Project “The Wandering Earth 2” has achieved commercial and critical success in China, but audiences have found good reasons to complain about this sci-fi blockbuster. Film Friday,liu cixin,The Wandering Earth,women https://thechinaproject.com/2023/02/17/hidden-blade-an-espionage-story-set-in-wartime-shanghai/ Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:03:20 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=269119 'Hidden Blade': An espionage story set in wartime Shanghai – The China Project "Hidden Blade" boasts a star lead, Tony Leung, and an all-star production team, including the costume designers and stylists of "Lust, Caution" and "In the Mood for Love," and the cinematographer of the Chinese remake of "12 Angry Men." It's just a shame the story couldn't be better. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2023/02/10/hong-heng-fai-director-of-kissing-the-ground-you-walked-on/ Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:28:46 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=264525 Making movies in Macau: Q&A with Hong Heng Fai, director of ‘Kissing the Ground You Walked On’ – The China Project Hong Heng Fai is a Macanese actor-turned-director whose feature debut just screened at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam. We discussed how his acting experience influences his filmmaking and the current state of the Macanese film industry. Film Friday,Interview,Macau https://thechinaproject.com/2023/01/20/finished-chinese-films-that-we-might-never-get-to-see/ Fri, 20 Jan 2023 15:02:44 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=257417 Finished Chinese films that we might never get to see – The China Project Finished Chinese films that we might never get to see film,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2023/01/06/old-town-girls-a-melancholy-neo-noir-set-in-southern-chinas-rust-belt/ Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:26:33 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=253103 ‘Old Town Girls’: A melancholy neo-noir set in southern China’s rust belt – The China Project ‘Old Town Girls’: A melancholy neo-noir set in southern China’s rust belt film,Film Friday,movie,Old Town Girls https://thechinaproject.com/2022/12/16/in-the-black-and-white-documentary-jet-lag-pandemic-travelogue-meets-family-memoir/ Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:44:16 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=251115 In the black-and-white documentary ‘Jet Lag,’ pandemic travelogue meets family memoir – The China Project In the black-and-white documentary ‘Jet Lag,’ pandemic travelogue meets family memoir COVID-19,Documentary,film,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/11/04/diversifying-tibetan-cinema-qa-with-jigme-trinley-director-of-one-and-four/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 10:14:59 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=247622 Diversifying Tibetan cinema: Q&A with Jigme Trinley, director of ‘One and Four’ – The China Project Jigme Trinley is an up-and-coming director and the son of the pioneering auteur of Tibetan cinema, Pema Tseden. We discussed what makes Tibetan films Tibetan, the creative process of making his award-winning feature debut, and his experience of “attending” international film festivals in the time of COVID. Film Friday,Interview https://thechinaproject.com/2022/10/28/stonewalling-shows-independent-chinese-filmmaking-is-still-kicking/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 05:16:58 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=247062 'Stonewalling' shows independent Chinese filmmaking is still kicking – The China Project “Stonewalling,” a movie about sexuality and reproduction, was filmed within China, but funded solely from outside sources. It has sidestepped domestic censors and secured international premieres. Could this be a way forward for China’s independent filmmakers? Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/10/14/hero-a-tale-of-three-pandemic-stricken-cities-told-through-womens-stories/ Fri, 14 Oct 2022 05:35:18 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=244876 'Hero': China's pandemic seen through three COVID-stricken cities – The China Project Directed by three Golden Bear-nominated Sinophone filmmakers, the anthology film "Hero" proves a disappointingly tawdry fare, full of conservative messages. COVID-19,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/09/30/the-hotel-wang-xiaoshuai-returns-to-his-roots-in-pandemic-film/ Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:43:43 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=240846 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/09/23/table-for-six-a-hong-kong-comedy-full-of-local-flavor/ Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:46:31 +0000 https://thechinaproject.com/?p=239221 'Table for Six': A Hong Kong comedy full of local flavor – The China Project Set in Hong Kong, Table for Six tells the story of three half-brothers living under the same roof and struggling through relationship and family problems. Released ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival, it set an opening day local record for a comedy in Hong Kong. Film Friday,Hong Kong https://thechinaproject.com/2022/08/26/gaey-war-streetwise-a-chinese-arthouse-film-from-cannes/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:07:46 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=231462 Gaey Wa'r (Streetwise): A Chinese arthouse film from Cannes – The China Project Five years in the making, Manchu director Na Jiazuo's debut feature, "Streetwise," premiered at Cannes 2021. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/08/12/beyond-the-skies-an-award-winning-arthouse-war-film/ Fri, 12 Aug 2022 08:08:33 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=230826 'Beyond the Skies': An award-winning art house war film set during the Chinese civil war – The China Project "Beyond the Skies," whose executive producer is the noted Tibetan auteur Pema Tseden (万玛才旦 Wànmǎ Cáidàn), won three laurels at the Beijing International Film Festival last year, including Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/08/05/palme-dor-winning-short-film-all-the-crows-in-the-world/ Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:30:46 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=230348 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/07/29/the-not-so-scary-truth-behind-horror-sensation-incantation/ Fri, 29 Jul 2022 04:00:18 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=229957 The not-so-scary truth behind horror sensation ‘Incantation’ – The China Project Audiences are raving about Taiwan’s newest horror film "Incantation," which just hit international Netflix this month. Exactly how real are the religious elements at the center of the movie? Film Friday,Taiwan https://thechinaproject.com/2022/07/15/rouge-nostalgia-and-loss-in-two-long-gone-hong-kongs/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 04:00:56 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=229315 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/07/08/five-classics-that-defined-celebrated-screenwriter-ni-kuang/ Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:12:33 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=228938 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/06/30/5-streamable-chinese-lgbtq-documentaries/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:12:09 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=228555 5 streamable Chinese LGBTQ documentaries – The China Project In honor of Pride Month, here’s a roundup of five noteworthy Chinese LGBTQ documentaries that you can stream right now. Documentary,film,LGBTQ https://thechinaproject.com/2022/06/17/moneyboys-a-provocative-atmospheric-film-about-chinese-hustlers/ Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:45:40 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=227425 'Moneyboys': A provocative, atmospheric film about Chinese hustlers – The China Project C.B. Yi’s debut feature, "Moneyboys," is a beguiling and disturbing exploration of a Chinese community hiding in plain sight. It follows the protagonist, a gay sex worker named Fei, through the arcs of two loves, both of which have a lasting impact in dramatically different ways. Film Friday,LGBTQ https://thechinaproject.com/2022/04/01/snipers-zhang-yimous-korean-war-film-misses-its-mark/ Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:13:39 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=223443 'Snipers': Zhang Yimou’s Korean War film misses its mark – The China Project Zhang Yimou's "Snipers," which Zhang co-directed with his daughter Zhang Mo, is a “patriotic” action-thriller set over the course of a single battle during the Korean War in which a group of PLA snipers battle against a group of American sharpshooters. Film Friday,Korean War https://thechinaproject.com/2022/03/04/return-to-dust-a-love-story-in-rural-china/ Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:14:54 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=221918 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/02/25/a-new-old-play-20th-century-china-depicted-through-film-and-theater/ Fri, 25 Feb 2022 14:45:30 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=220236 'A New Old Play': 20th-century China depicted through film and theater – The China Project "A New Old Play" is acclaimed Chinese director Qiu Jiongjiong's first fiction film. In it, he shines as a theater and film director in equal measures, balancing the honesty of the stage with an ambitious technical refinement that has made the film a festival favorite over the last year. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2022/02/11/b-for-busy-challenges-the-male-gaze-wins-chinese-audiences/ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 09:24:07 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=218338 https://thechinaproject.com/2022/01/21/burning-ice-beijing-kids-with-big-hockey-dreams/ Fri, 21 Jan 2022 05:52:01 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=217032 'Burning Ice': Beijing kids with big hockey dreams – The China Project Following three middle-class Beijing families and their kids’ enthusiasm for ice hockey, Liu Hanxiang’s documentary is a meditation on the role of parents in today’s China. Film Friday,Olympics https://thechinaproject.com/2021/12/03/joseph-kuo-and-taiwanese-kung-fu-at-the-old-school-kung-fu-fest/ Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:26:47 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=214488 Joseph Kuo and Taiwanese kung fu at the Old School Kung Fu Fest – The China Project Eight kung fu classics from Taiwanese director Joseph Kuo are scheduled for screening this week as part of the 9th Old School Kung Fu Fest in New York. The films have been restored in 2K. Film Friday,kung fu https://thechinaproject.com/2021/11/12/shock-wave-2-andy-lau-returns-in-this-explosive-blockbuster/ Fri, 12 Nov 2021 06:36:15 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=213203 Shock Wave 2: Andy Lau returns in explosive blockbuster – The China Project Herman Yau's blockbuster begins with a mini-nuke blowing up the Hong Kong airport. In case you weren't aware what you were watching, "Shock Wave 2" is a film about explosions: either those that happen or those that threaten to. Film Friday,Hong Kong https://thechinaproject.com/2021/10/15/netflix-doc-found-three-teenage-girls-seek-roots-in-china/ Fri, 15 Oct 2021 04:41:50 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=211612 Netflix doc 'Found': Three teenage girls seek roots in China – The China Project On October 20, Netflix will release the documentary "Found," which follows three teenage Chinese-American adoptees. It offers an on-the-ground look at China through a humanistic lens. Adoption,Film Friday,Netflix https://thechinaproject.com/2021/09/24/one-second-zhang-yimous-love-letter-to-cinema/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:06:06 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=210719 One Second: Zhang Yimou's 'love letter to cinema' – The China Project Censored and pulled from the Berlin International Film Festival in 2019, Zhang Yimou's "One Second" recently closed the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. Film Friday,Zhang Yimou https://thechinaproject.com/2021/08/20/meditative-buddha-mountain-gets-10th-anniversary-directors-cut/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:03:45 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=209525 Meditative 'Buddha Mountain' gets 10th anniversary director's cut – The China Project The award-winning "Buddha Mountain," starring Fan Bingbing, is now available on demand, giving international viewers a director’s cut of what might be controversial filmmaker Li Yu’s strongest work. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2021/06/25/5-must-watch-chinese-lgbtq-films-for-pride-month/ Sat, 26 Jun 2021 02:28:18 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=207452 5 must-watch Chinese LGBTQ films for Pride Month – The China Project LGBTQ film in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even China goes back nearly three decades. In honor of Pride Month, here are five must-see Chinese films that have helped pioneer LGBTQ cinema. Film Friday,LGBTQ https://thechinaproject.com/2021/06/18/wet-season-a-rain-soaked-search-for-love-and-belonging/ Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:49:12 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=207248 'Wet Season': A rain-soaked search for love and belonging – The China Project In the Singaporean film "Wet Season," a teacher and her student gradually grow close amid an environment of stifling constraint. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2021/06/11/the-ark-inside-a-chinese-hospital-during-covid-19/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 06:56:14 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=207067 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/05/21/two-hong-kong-protest-documentaries-applauded-at-south-korean-film-festival/ Fri, 21 May 2021 05:41:24 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=206377 Two Hong Kong protest documentaries applauded at South Korean film festival – The China Project The Hong Kong protest documentaries "Taking Back the Legislature" and "Inside the Red Brick Wall" played at this year’s Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) in South Korea, to great fanfare. Film Friday,Hong Kong https://thechinaproject.com/2021/05/14/twilights-kiss-two-gay-men-in-their-golden-years/ Fri, 14 May 2021 08:05:52 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=206104 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/04/23/xu-ruotaos-experimental-indie-films-about-artists-and-dissidents/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 06:25:45 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=204816 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/04/15/when-the-philadelphia-orchestra-helped-china-fall-in-love-with-classical-music/ Thu, 15 Apr 2021 05:17:51 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=204406 When the Philadelphia Orchestra helped China fall in love with classical music – The China Project 'Beethoven in Beijing,' a documentary premiering April 16 on PBS, tells the story of China’s fascination with Western classical music — how it began with a visit from the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1973. Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2021/04/09/to-be-a-woman-a-feminist-showcase-by-young-chinese-directors/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:50:10 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=204153 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/04/02/nina-wu-is-a-psychological-thriller-about-exploitation-in-film/ Fri, 02 Apr 2021 07:36:02 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=203902 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/03/19/center-stage-reconstructs-the-life-and-enigma-of-a-legendary-actress/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:51:33 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=203524 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/03/05/chloe-zhaos-authentic-tender-docudramas-of-the-american-west/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:27:58 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=202985 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/26/a-first-farewell-bids-goodbye-to-a-uyghur-childhood/ Fri, 26 Feb 2021 05:01:11 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=202666 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/19/chinas-film-poet-who-belatedly-influenced-a-generation-of-filmmakers/ Fri, 19 Feb 2021 05:37:19 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=202383 China's 'film-poet' who belatedly influenced a generation of filmmakers - The China Project Despite directing "Spring in a Small Town," which is recognized as one of the greatest Chinese films of all time, Fei Mu wasn't appreciated during his lifetime, dying as a refugee at the age of 44. Fortunately, his films were rediscovered in the 1980s. Fei Mu,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/05/we-were-smart-chinas-controversial-subculture-tells-its-story/ Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:27:44 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=201873 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/01/29/a-guide-to-fan-popo-chinas-trailblazing-lgbtq-filmmaker/ Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:00:58 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=201574 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/01/22/four-lgbtq-shorts-currently-streaming-at-the-la-chinese-film-festival/ Fri, 22 Jan 2021 12:07:50 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=201327 Four LGBTQ shorts currently streaming at the LA Chinese Film Festival - The China Project The Los Angeles Chinese Film Festival is currently holding virtual screenings until February 5. On Montage, viewers can watch, for free, four LGBTQ-themed shorts. Film Friday,LGBTQ https://thechinaproject.com/2021/01/15/flowers-of-shanghai-hou-hsiao-hsien/ Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:22:15 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=200968 https://thechinaproject.com/2021/01/08/your-name-engraved-herein-forbidden-love-in-1980s-taiwan/ Fri, 08 Jan 2021 07:08:38 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=200488 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/12/18/chinas-top-blockbusters-of-2020/ Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:45:56 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=200033 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/11/27/finding-yingying-a-familys-search-for-a-missing-daughter-in-a-foreign-land/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 09:13:42 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=199157 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/11/13/wong-kar-wai-breakthrough-film-days-of-being-wild/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:16:46 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=198679 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/10/30/5-ghost-movies-inspired-by-the-stories-of-pu-songling/ Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:07:19 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=198132 5 ghost movies inspired by the stories of Pu Songling - The China Project Pu Songling's works involving demons, ghosts, and other creatures of the night have provided inspiration for Chinese filmmakers since the dawn of cinema. In celebration of Pu's influence on film, and with Halloween happening tomorrow, here are five worthwhile movies adapted from his work. film,Film Friday,Halloween,Pu Songling https://thechinaproject.com/2020/10/16/our-time-machine-a-bittersweet-documentary-on-love-art-and-dementia/ Fri, 16 Oct 2020 05:03:32 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=197629 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/09/25/when-eileen-chang-wrote-for-the-movies/ Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:06:28 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=195615 When Eileen Chang wrote for the movies - The China Project Eileen Chang is one of China’s most celebrated writers, with many of her stories adapted for the big screen. But what’s lesser known is that she also wrote many scripts, some of which turned into significant Chinese-language movies. To celebrate her 100th birthday on September 30, we take a closer look at this neglected side of her career. Eileen Chang,Film Friday https://thechinaproject.com/2020/09/18/disneys-live-action-mulan-offers-new-interpretation-of-an-old-legend/ Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:00:10 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=195275 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/09/11/my-prince-edward-questions-marriage-and-freedom-in-modern-hong-kong/ Fri, 11 Sep 2020 04:00:25 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=195004 ‘My Prince Edward’ questions marriage and freedom in modern Hong Kong - The China Project Set in the working-class area of Prince Edward in Hong Kong, "My Prince Edward" tackles marriage, freedom, and the city’s spiraling rent. The movie is quiet and ambiguous, with themes we aren't typically asked to ponder in romantic dramas. Film Friday,Hong Kong https://thechinaproject.com/2020/08/21/enter-the-fat-dragon-donnie-yen-in-a-fat-suit-why/ Fri, 21 Aug 2020 06:01:09 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=194352 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/08/14/a-20th-anniversary-celebration-of-yi-yi/ Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:23:24 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=194094 https://thechinaproject.com/2020/07/24/shanghai-triad-zhang-yimous-gangster-drama-told-through-a-childs-eyes/ Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:23:57 +0000 https://supchina.com/?p=193193 'Shanghai Triad': Zhang Yimou’s gangster drama told through a child’s eyes - The China Project "Shanghai Triad," starring Gong Li, is a gorgeous take on old gangster movies. It’s actually unfortunate that the English title is "Shanghai Triad," which gives a dishonest emphasis on the mobsters. The Chinese title, taken from the lyrics of an old lullaby, better represents the movie’s theme of traditionalism or nostalgia clashing with modernity. Film Friday,Shanghai,Triad,Zhang Yimou