Watching Movie newlight on 09 Mar 2007 08:58 pm
Centre Stage and Chinese cinema
I want to praise Edinburgh’s Cinema China 07′s organisers to choose Centre Stage (a.k.a. The Actress) as the opening film. Not only this gives them a good reason to invite Maggie Cheung, of whom I am a fan, to come to the festival, but also this is a fitting opening for a festival that celebrates a century of Chinese cinema.
I first watched this film more than ten years ago in Hong Kong. At that time I was already interested in the history of Chinese cinema and had begin working on my project Chinese Movie Database. The impact of this film on me, looking back now, was that it made me realise that the early (1930s) Chinese films could be attractive and sexy. The beautiful and enigmatic Ruan Lingyu became this focal point of my interest in early Chinese cinema. This film tells the history of the Shanghai era of silent cinema through Ruan Lingyu, with great passion. I guess there must have been some influence from Peggy Chiao, the film producer and critics from Taiwan, who provided the concept of this film. We saw the director and actresses interview the characters they played, and be interviewed. Scenes of the lost films were re-constructed. And when Zhang Damin visited Ruan Lingyu’s new home unexpectedly, I could almost see a glimpse of The Goddess.
The re-enact of the scene in Ruan Lingyu’s masterpiece The Goddess (which will be shown on 12th Mar 7:00pm during Cinema China 07) by Maggie Cheung is possibly the highest homage an actress can pay to the great one. Maggie Cheung broke into international scene after she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress with this film in Berlin, and went on to become an icon of contemporary Chinese cinema. If I am allowed to indulge a bit in superstitution, I would say perhaps she is blessed by the spirit Ruan Lingyu.
In the middle of the film, when the camera panned around the stage of Lianhua Company, the young faces of directors, actors and actress are full of hope and energy. They were singing and playing. They were the household names of that era, pioneers of Chinese cinema. Ruan Lingyu, Li Lili, Li Zhuozhuo, Lin Chuchu,
Chen Yanyan, Jin Yan, Sun Yu, Li Minwei, Wu Yonggang, Fei Mu, Pu Wancang, Cai Chusheng… We will see films made by them, like Fei Mu’s Spring in a Small Town and Ruan Lingyu’s The Goddess (directed by Wu Yonggang), along with the ones made by several generations after them. After all, Ruan Lingyu and Lianhua are the representatives of the first golden era of Chinese cinema.
on 09 Mar 2007 at 21:12 1.Chinese Movie Database Blog » Blog Archive » Centre Stage and Chinese cinema said …
[...] This article first appears on WaterInk. [...]
on 23 Dec 2007 at 05:22 2.Mashup said …
Having spent a few years in Shanghai shopping at the abundantly stocked DVD shops, I was able to feed an interest in film.
A frustration was that I did not know where to start with Chinese film. (With Japan in contrast, there were large numbers of subtitled classic DVDs with directors’ names that I recognised.) I will see if I can seek out the two films you mention above. I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to tell me who are the directors and (subtitled) films that I should seek out?
On a more polemical point, is it fair to say that Chinese directors cannot challenge the acclaim that their Japanese peers have enjoyed? Or is this just because of neglect born from the historical isolation of China until the 80s?
on 29 Jan 2008 at 17:56 3.newlight said …
Where to start? That’s a difficult question.
Except Centre Stage, I can’t think of any other Chinese films about the history of Chinese film industry. In terms of big names, I think you may want to start from Ang Lee. His films are very accessible to Western audiences while still have strong Chinese perspective/philosophy. His early work, like East Drink Man Woman, Pushing Hands are very enjoyable.
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/LiAn
If you like action/martial arts, you want to see Jackie Chan, John Woo, Tsui Hark, and lately Zhang Yimou.
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/ChengLong
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/WuYusen
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/XuKe
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/ZhangYimou
Or perhaps you can start from this top 10 list:
http://www.dianying.com/en/users/top10.php
on 29 Jan 2008 at 18:17 4.newlight said …
Some Chinese directors have achieve highly acclaimed status internationally, for example Hou Hsiao-Hsien, King Hu.
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/HuJinquan
http://www.dianying.com/en/person/HouXiaoxian
But yes, many are not unknown outside China (perhaps inside China as well), and yes one of the reasons is the unavailability of their work. In Cinema China 07, I saw a beautifully digitally transferred The Goddess (1934) http://www.dianying.com/en/title/sn-1934
but also the single print of Spring in a Small Town (1948) on the verge of being damaged
http://www.dianying.com/en/title/xcz1948
Certainly more efforts should be put into preserve classic Chinese films and make them available to wider audiences.
on 14 Jun 2010 at 04:21 5.Como Enamorar A Una Chica said …
Llegué a tu blog y descubrí bastantes cosas interesantes. Me la pasé leyendo un rato largo. Tu dirección ya está en mi Google Reader. Si tienes ganas, accede a mi blog. Abrazo!
on 07 Sep 2013 at 07:48 6.サイフ ランキング said …
コムサ 財布
on 13 Dec 2013 at 06:58 7.Nouvel UGG 2014 said …
Churro’s is Miami-based middleman involving specialized grade models to create espresso, espresso, and hot cocoa. Further than buying gear via Mister. Churro’s you’ll have to workout additional information on your organization precisely your. What exactly is a Virtual private network and in what way would it unblock Hotmail within Cina? So via whatever understand, your Virtual private network operates much like your proxy. Unless you find out what your proxy is, the item in essence markets your own conversation by using sites on the web by way of a “server”, the place you’re given an imitation Ip. This way, no-one see’s your own true Internet.
Nouvel UGG 2014 http://www.cheapuggbootsfr.com/bottes-ugg-classic-short-sparkles
on 02 Mar 2023 at 19:15 8.Gyloavy said …
If you are taking medicines to suppress your immune system after a transplant organ or stem cell bone marrow buying cialis online reviews
on 03 Apr 2023 at 23:58 9.louis vuitton outlet said …
I received my bag yesterday or possibly They look and feel great choose to I’m so pleased with my purchase in either case Thank you for the bag and it was a pleasure doing business with you guys.
louis vuitton outlet https://www.louisvuittonsoutlet.com/
on 05 Apr 2023 at 21:51 10.Andrewgem said …
You actually reported it adequately.
b ed thesis writing service service oriented architecture master thesis phd thesis papers buy phd thesis
on 02 May 2023 at 21:59 11.Rek said …
Нет в наличии Формула туши для ресниц с пантенолом разработана для чувствительных глаз, но это не единственный ее плюс. Еще это средство удобно смывается обычной теплой водой без применения геля или пенки. * Если вы хотите не только придать объем, но и удлинить ресницы используйте также тушь Dolly Wink Long Mascara. Необходимо дождаться высыхания одной туши и после нанести вторую. Удлиняющая и подкручивающая влагостойкая тушь для ресниц превзойдет все ваши ожидания.Тушь разработа.. Густые длинные ресницы и выразительный взгляд – мечта каждой девушки. Корейская тушь обладает всеми свойствами, чтобы воплотить эту мечту. Высокое качество продукции способствует безупречному нанесению и сохранению свежести макияжа в течение дня. Тушь поможет сделать реснички пышными, длинными, изящно изогнутыми или просто подчеркнет достоинства Ваших собственных ресниц.
http://etfcannabiscanada51.huicopper.com/kapli-dla-rosta-resnic-otzyvy
Комплекс ухаживает за бровями и ресницами, делая волоски густыми, блестящими и эластичными Все аптечные сети: Обновление цен по аптекам Экстракты экзотических харитаки и лианы активизируют рост новых ресниц и укрепляют их. Похвастаться длиннющими ресницами – не обо мне. Я всегда их подкручивала щипчиками, искала туши с удлинением и объемом. Если честно, хоть ресницы уже и огогошные, не могу отказать себе в использовании щипчиков. Этот сексуальный заломчик меня пленил навсегда. Minox ML объединяет в своем рецепте наиболее эффективные достижения косметологии и фармакологии. Поэтому бальзам нельзя назвать обычной косметикой – это космецевтика. Одним из важнейших преимуществ в пользу Minox ML является естественность и сила выращенных ресниц, чем наращенные (или накладные) ресницы похвастать не смогут никогда. Все это подарит Вашим ресницам новый бальзам для роста ресниц Minox ML!
on 08 Aug 2023 at 01:20 12.Derekanofe said …
dating personal ads: tender dating site – online dating women
on 09 Aug 2023 at 00:43 13.Jimmygem said …
prednisone 20mg by mail order: http://prednisone1st.store/# where to buy prednisone uk
on 09 Aug 2023 at 06:59 14.Csolgv said …
tricor order cheap fenofibrate tricor 160mg uk
on 10 Aug 2023 at 06:27 15.DarylJam said …
https://propecia1st.science/# cheap propecia without a prescription
on 10 Aug 2023 at 08:37 16.CharlesFab said …
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
canada pharmacy 24h precription drugs from canada
drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
on 10 Aug 2023 at 17:58 17.JamesMycle said …
amoxicillin without prescription: amoxicillin without a doctors prescription buy amoxicillin online no prescription
on 10 Aug 2023 at 18:24 18.Claudefem said …
amoxicillin discount amoxicillin 500mg prescription – where can i buy amoxicillin online
on 11 Aug 2023 at 00:28 19.LarryShoon said …
natural ed medications best ed treatment pills mens erection pills
on 11 Aug 2023 at 00:35 20.SamuelsoalT said …
http://cheapestedpills.com/# ed pills online
on 11 Aug 2023 at 01:51 21.Brentwaf said …
buy cheap propecia tablets cost cheap propecia pill
on 06 Sep 2023 at 17:35 22.Nuh said …
Pastinya jika web yang terpercaya memiliki banyak transaksi pada dalamnya, situs-situs ini pastinya setiap harinya memiliki member yang melakukan penarikan maupun deposit ke dalam situs mereka. Kamu dapat menanyakan urusan bukti transfer terhadap kontak person yang tersedia di web tersebut. Jika web yang anda tanyakan memiliki banyak alasan dan tidak mau memberikan bukti, oleh karena itu anda patut sangsi terhadap situs ini. To make this deal even more alluring, all the games have more than just your traditional bonus rounds. After a certain number of wins you enter a funzone with additional prizes and every time you hit the play button you never know if you get thrown into a booster mini-game which offers a totally different spin on prizes.
http://eng.koreanpear.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=202414
Players can play for fun or real money on Canadian online casino sites with different currencies. So, it’s wise to be aware of your options. It makes sense that Canadian players want to play with their national currency. However, offshore gambling sites might not always accept CAD. So, let’s see what other currencies can be used at a real money online casino: While the changes in the Canadian gambling laws remain rumors and hopes, you can enjoy playing in the top 10 Canadian online casinos the SlotsUp team has included in the list for you. Besides the large choice of gambling venues, each of them being the best online casino CAD, we also offer expert Canada online casino reviews and the selection of the most lucrative casino offers the Canada online casinos 2017 are granting to their customers. You can also check this page from your mobile device to see the full list of mobile-friendly iOS and Android casino Canada based sites where you can play mobile slots Canada in the best quality.
on 07 Sep 2023 at 01:49 23.Qvmbby said …
cost ferrous sulfate 100mg generic sotalol sotalol uk
on 08 Sep 2023 at 03:40 24.Yeshqm said …
cheap pyridostigmine 60 mg buy feldene 20 mg generic buy maxalt online
on 09 Sep 2023 at 20:45 25.Ernestanype said …
reliable canadian pharmacy my canadian pharmacy rx or canadian drug stores
http://abamahotel.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=canadaph.life is canadian pharmacy legit
[url=http://reunionplanner.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=canadaph.life]canadian pharmacy[/url] canada drug pharmacy and [url=http://bbs.cheaa.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2949304]canadian pharmacy online reviews[/url] canada pharmacy reviews
on 10 Sep 2023 at 01:49 26.Iobsiq said …
enalapril pills doxazosin 2mg pill cheap lactulose
on 10 Sep 2023 at 07:34 27.FrancisBum said …
best india pharmacy: Medical Store in India – indian pharmacy online
on 11 Sep 2023 at 03:07 28.scholding said …
Быстромонтируемые здания – это новейшие здания, которые отличаются высокой быстротой строительства и гибкостью. Они представляют собой сооружения, заключающиеся из эскизно созданных элементов или блоков, которые имеют возможность быть быстро установлены на районе стройки.
Быстровозводимые здания владеют гибкостью также адаптируемостью, что разрешает просто преобразовывать и переделывать их в соответствии с потребностями покупателя. Это экономически лучшее и экологически стойкое решение, которое в последние лета приняло широкое распространение.
on 11 Sep 2023 at 06:28 29.FrancisBum said …
india online pharmacy: Online pharmacy India – buy medicines online in india
on 12 Sep 2023 at 07:14 30.Ogocyd said …
latanoprost cheap order rivastigmine 6mg for sale rivastigmine 6mg canada
on 01 Oct 2023 at 04:27 31.Bfznvb said …
roulette online with real money order stromectol 12mg sale ivermectin oral
on 01 Oct 2023 at 04:33 32.viagra no prescription canadian pharmacy said …
canadian pharmaceuticals online safe