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In a confined section of a psychiatric ward in Northeast China, patients of schizophrenia, mania, depression, compulsive sexual behaviour and alcohol addition receive the mandatory treatment. As soon as their heads are cleared, they try to break free but always fail. Under the control of drugs and unquestionable discipline, they begin to reflect on their souls, will, desire and thoughts.Read More »
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The leading clown role in a renowned theatre troupe passes on, and is welcomed into the Underworld. As he relives his vivid memories one last time before entering the afterlife, 50 years of art, struggle and love play out against …Read More »
It’s a two-episode run of the Taiwanese TV anthology series Eleven Women, produced by actress Sylvia Chang. The idea—to have several younger directors make episodes about contemporary Taiwanese life, centering on female protagonists—was modeled after the Hong Kong TV productions (such as Below the Lion Rock) that kickstarted the HK new wave. And indeed, it started the careers of not only Yang but several other important figures who would go on to pioneer the Taiwanese New Wave.
Yang’s episodes were adapted from a short story by Di Yi. The title is “Floating Weeds” (literally, “Duckweed”).Read More »
Synopsis
The Chinese documentary movement continues to evolve, reaching new levels of awareness of issues complicating its mission to objectively capture the reality of its society. Among these issues is that of performance in its subjects; this is especially critical given that an increasing number of documentaries are personal portraits that delve into subjective experiences. Perhaps the most memorable instance of the past year is Qiu Jiongjiong’s stark black-and-white series of interviews with transsexual cabaret singer Madame Bi Langda. Madame Bi’s recollections of past experiences explicitly touch on how she performs her way through life, whether interacting with friends, lovers or her audience. More than a document of the increasingly complicated gender identity politics in China, it’s also a poignant testimony of a life dedicated to articulating the aesthetics of living.Read More »
Peigang, his family’s only son for three generations running, is to be executed on account of larceny, but not without the intervention of his grandmother.Read More »
Storm Under the Sun is a documentary about one of the “political storms” by Mao Zedong that fell upon the intellectuals of China in the 50’s. Centered around the Hu Feng Case, the documentary traces the synergy that generated such an event, Mao’s personal involvement in every step, and various victims’ reaction to and realizations following the humiliation and accusations.Read More »
Plot: The young teacher Li Mingguang is to be murdered in the north of China because of having taken the virginity from the young girl Li Pingwa. The whole family wants to take revenge on him for that, even the whole village.Read More »
Synopsis:
A quiet villager survives an attack by thugs miraculously — or is there more to this humble villager than meets the eye? The miraculous feat draws the attention of a detective with a keen eye. The villager is a hero in the eyes of his family and the townsfolk, but the detective won’t let the matter rest. Further investigation reveals a startling past that the villager wants to leave behind. So too does the investigator have a past he wishes he could forget. Soon the lives and the roles of the villager and the detective blur as each man does what he feels he must.Read More »
