CHINESE FILM FESTIVAL

(click the poster for film synopsis)

The Chelmsford Film Club and Cramphorn Theatre have joined forces to participate in the Essex Jiangsu Festival by presenting a small programme of Chinese films. The films have been selected to show the diversity of Chinese cinema, which it is hoped will appeal to a wide variety of tastes and encourage film goers to explore the many different styles and types of Chinese films available either at the cinema or through DVD.

The Chinese film industry in mainland China has been severely affected by the communist revolution, which has only relaxed its grip on artistic freedom in latter years. Directors who emerged from the Beijing Film Academy in the early 1980s produced films in the 1980s and 1990s which redefined Chinese cinema and were highly regarded in the West. Their early films frequently addressed the scars of the cultural revolution, but in subtle, indirect ways, so as to avoid the displeasure of their government. Their later films are less interesting in many respects, because sanctioned by the government, they display more cultural and mythic elements, rather than social and political themes. A new wave of young directors has emerged that are challenging the boundaries set by the establishment.

The Hong Kong industry, on the other hand is entirely different, vibrant, diverse, trashy, commercial, formulaic and unrelentingly productive. Some of its stars and directors have made the transition to Hollywood and become truly international. The range of styles is so wide that it defies comparison, from exquisite art house cinema, to martial arts, to sophisticated thrillers, to blood soaked horror movies, to tongue in cheek action films – and the list goes on. Taiwanese films are similar to Hong Kong, although far less prolific.

So the films selected represent a tiny example of the delights available. Two films from the masterful Zhang Yimou, his early classic Raise the Red Lantern, and the more recent, ravishing Hero. Suzhou River, a modern film noir and an absolutely breathtaking thriller Infernal Affairs (of which The Departed is a much inferior remake).
Enjoy!

In addition to the following 4 films of the Season, Chelmsford Film Club is screening Lust, Caution on Thursday, 9th October

Suzhou River
Suzhou he

Sunday 21st September

Springtime in a Small Town
Xiao cheng zhi chun

Sunday 12th October

Raise the Red Lantern
Da hong deng long gao gao gua

Friday 17th October

Hero
Ying xiong

Thursday 6th November