Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevemcgarrett]

babtangee:

Yeah, but ya know what, I don't blame him. It's not well known that after he finished The Road Home and took it to the Berlin and Cannes Film Festivals a lot of paternalistic film critics criticized him for supposedly pandering to the Chinese government to assuage their ire over the content of some of his previous films.

This really ticked Zhang off--and deservedly so because this project was a purely artistic endeavor, although based on a true story of a dedicated primary school teacher in Fengning County, Hebei Province, China.

So I think he went commercial (at least temporarily) to tell the West where they could stick it.

[rothkowitz]

What's meant by "wushu cinema"?

I rented "야연" on dvd yesterday and it really conforms to a recent type of Chinese film,I guess starting from CDHT,ie fantasy,action,intrigue,sumptuous imagery etc etc

If this is a genre it's surely been played out now.This film seemed so....mannered.Filming was annoying too,all mis en scene set ups.No long shots.Just so much fluff.

I never thought I'd say it,but Zhang Ziyi did nothing for me in this movie. either.

[Okibum]

I loved Happy Times "Xingfu shiguang." It was just by pure luck that I came across that move. Did anyone else like it?

I also love Farewell my Concubine and Raise the Red Lantern. I am not a Chinese film buff but Chinese culture has always intrigued me.

[stevemcgarrett]

Okibum:

Yes, Farewell My Concubine is a classic, and Chen Kaige directed it superbly.

Rothkowitz:

Wushu cinema is pretty much as you described it, but always the kungfu is central to the action, hence the tendency to sacrifice meaningful dialogue. Zhang Ziyi has yet to convince me that she's a fine actress. She has a foreign boyfriend, now, so she might learn some English and really break into the Hollywood market. She takes a good photo and, so far, that's about it. Gong Li, on the other hand, has earned her stripes.

[rothkowitz]

I'm always up for a kung fu flick and quite happy for the plot(honour,revenge, et al) to revolve around that.

I think what annoyed me from the get go with 야연 was how they would reference scenes from other recent films-the swaying bamboo from CDHT,ZZ in the pool from HOFD.It's not a self-reflexive device,it's just dull.

I liked ZZ's first film appearance because she seemed so unstudied.In the Won KarWai film "2046" her performance was Ok,but,yeah,Gong Li is more convincing(and was more able to express pathos in Shangha Triad over a decade ago)

Scrubs up well,but.

[stevemcgarrett]

Two of Gong Li's most convincing roles are in Breaking the Silence, a true story about the Chinese mother of a deaf son and The Story Ju Dou, about a peasant woman who journeys to Beijing to press her grievances.

I have yet to see Zhang Ziyi make an effort to take a role where big money isn't involved (other than, of course, her debut film).

Gong Li is about 40 years old now, but aging gracefully like most Chinese women with access to good health and personal care. She has a mystique about her, too, that is genuine according to my friend (whose friend tutored English to her for Geisha). Zhang Ziyi, on the other hand, comes across in public as a bit of snob and a beech.

[Delirium's Brother]

[stevemcgarrett]

Delirium's Brother:

I must kowtow: I got my "reds" mixed up; you are indeed correct.

Why do you like Raise the Red Lantern so much?

SELF-CORRECTION:

I got another film confused too; the film was The Story of Qiu Ju, not Ju Dou, as I indicated.

Serves me right for posting so late at night. After age 50, this is a no-no.

[Delirium's Brother]

[stevemcgarrett]

delirium's brother:

Yes the narrative is great, thanks in some measure to the work of literature from which it derives.

Unfortunately, mainland Chinese directors are going Hollywood these days, although I can't entirely blame them; they've certainly paid their dues.

I wonder when, if ever, mainstream Western audiences will accept Chinese cinema?

By the way, anyone out there heard about the collection of classics, Celebrations of Chinese Cinema, which have been remastered and contain better English translations?

[Delirium's Brother]

[rothkowitz]

What would the attraction be in having western audiences embracing Chinese or asian film in general?

[stevemcgarrett]

roth:

You're right: no sex, less gratuitious violence and fancy special effects leaves mainland Chinese films out in the cold.

[rothkowitz]

Well,what kind of Asian film would appeal to a mainstream audience and how Asian would it still be?

"The Last Emperor" was a good example of Chinese and Western(maybe more western)movie sensibilities working together in a very popular movie.

Perhaps as China becomes more affluent we'll see more of the aspects you mention?I guess it depends on the party and how much they're willing to leave people to their own devices.

Incidentally,I read Shu Qi was first orginally chosen for ZZ's role in CDHT.

[stevemcgarrett]

roth:

Shu Qi is very hot but her acting is also questionable. She makes mostly Hong Kong B movie thrillers.

The best cultural crossover movie I've ever seen was Ang Lee's Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.

He directed it many years before CTHD was conceived and it was filmed entirely with Chinese, mostly Taiwanese stars. One of the most sensuous and sensitive movies of the early '90's.