中国视野
Series on Chinese Cinema Retrospective on 6 Generations of filmmaking

Visions of China :

　　　A retrospective on 6 Generations of film making

Visions of China is a six part series showcasing the development of Chinese cinema across six generations of filmmaking. Beginning with the early ‘Wuxia’ traditions and running the full gamut to the independent cinema being produced today, the bilingual series will guide viewers through China ’s cinematic milestones via rare movie clips and hard-to-find archive material. Helped along the way by experts and enthusiasts from Beijing ’s film community, the series is the perfect primer for anyone interested in Chinese film, and in opportunities to discuss it.

Part of The Bookworm @ CNEX film series.

CNEX, at Jing Yuan (竟园)/Image Base Beijing, outside the south-east Ring Road (Guang Qu Lu). Bus: No 24 from Shuang Jing station (line 10), 10 minutes to Xiao Hai Zi (小海子) stop, Image Base is across the road, large red neon sign.

Every Sunday for 6 weeks, beginning 8th Nov. 3pm. CNEX.
30rmb presale and Bookworm members. 50rmb on the door.

Session 1: The Beginnings, Wuxia and Chinese Lore.
Sunday 8th November – 3pm

Session Host: Chen Shan Laoshi, professor at the Beijing Film Academy .

Period & Theme: The beginnings of Chinese cinema in the Shanghai concessions.
The origins of the “Wuxia” cinema will be explored through costumes and folk tales in the earliest Chinese productions. Chen Shan Laoshi will give a lecture interspersed with excerpts from period movies until 1930’s, including some early Wuxia features such as “Lady of Steel”.

Session 2: Early Feature Films, Experimental and Avant-Garde Movements.
Sunday 15th November – 3pm

Session Host: Chen Shan Laoshi.
Period & Theme: Early feature films, experimental cinema and avant-garde movement starting in the mid ‘1930s going until the Cultural Revolution. As for session one, the lecture will include a number of clips from silent movies (“Spring in a Small Town”, “ ”), and a full piece (short): “A Lady’s Fantasia”, Fei Mou (1937).

Session 3: Cultural Revolution Generations: Propaganda Films and the Scar Drama
Sunday 22rd November – 3pm

Session Host: Dr Zhou Xia, researcher at the China Film Archives
Period & Theme: Cultural Revolution feature films and the scar drama in the early eighties, with clips and excerpts of period works

Session 4: The Rise of a Freed Youth and the Return to Cinematographic Tradition
Sunday 29th November – 3pm

Session Host: To be confirmed
Period & Theme: The fifth generation of filmmakers, and the revival of Chinese cinema through the themes of humanism and cultural reflection.


Session 5: Existential Questions and the Birth of Independent Cinema.
Sunday 6th December – 3pm

Session Host: Yang Zi, writer, critic and chief editor of Quacor.
Period & Theme: The nineties: the birth of Independent cinema in China . Yang Zi will comment on the efforts made by the first independent film makers to set up their own productions. This will be followed by a full length feature film: Mr Zhao (赵先生), by Lu Yue, and discussion afterwards.

Session 6: Search for Truths and Underground Cinema
Sunday 13th December – 3pm

Session Host: Zhang Ya Xuan, director of the China Independent Film Archives (CIFA).
Period & Theme: The early ’2000s: From underground to marginality. An introduction to the latest evolutions on the indie scene will be followed by a screening session and open discussion.
Added Screening (eve): Experimental Movies in 2009: a screening of short films with comments by Sandy Ding and Jiang Xuan, from the Chinese Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).


Speakers:

Chen Shan
Chen Shan has taught in Paris , Taiwan , and at the Beijing Film Academy for the last ten years, while taking part in a number of festivals and film projects as a jury member, writer, and researcher. He is the author of three books on Chinese film theory, Cultural Theory and the History of Martial Arts in China .

Zhou Xia
A researcher and expert at the China Film Archives, Dr Zhou Xia is part of a team that records, analyses and critiques the entire Chinese Film Production.

Yang Zi

A graduate of the Beijing Film Academy , Yang Zi is a film critic and independent writer. He has written for specialized magazines such as “Modern Art” and “Oriental Morning Post” while taking part in developing independent cinema in China through festivals and various productions. He is a regular collaborator of CNEX and a chief editor at Quacor.com, an independent film web-portal.

Zhang Ya Xuan
A prominent expert on Chinese Independent movies, Zhang Yaxuan is director of the China Independent Film Archives at the Iberia Center in 798, promoting work by independent film makers and Art House Cinema.