CHINAFEST February 19, 2010

Friday, February 19 @ 3:00 & 7:30 p.m. (University of Richmond)
The Knot
China/Hong Kong/Taiwan, 2006
Directed by Yin Li
110 min. (No MPAA rating)

An unrequited love affair is played out against tumultuous events in Asian history in the epic-scale historical drama, The Knot. Qiushui (Chen Kun) is a teacher living and working in Taipei in the mid-1940s. Qiushui meets Biyun (Vivian Hsu), a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family, when he’s hired to tutor her. Qiushui and Biyun soon fall in love, but because of the turbulent situation in Taiwan, Qiushui flees t the mainland to escape persecution. Afterwards, the two are separated by the Straits. This film was the first co-production between China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It was released simultaneously in all three nations, and became a major box-office success in China.

Sunday, February 21 @ 7:30 p.m. (University of Richmond)
In Love We Trust
China, 2008
Directed by Wang Xiashua
115 min,; NR

A divorced couple learns that the only way to save their little daughter Hehe, who suffers from a blood disease, is to have another child. Now remarried, Mei Zhu and Xiao Lu are forced to test their love and their commitment to each other by putting their current relationships in danger. A story of parenthood, love, married life, betrayal, trust and giving, In Love We Trust, touches upon changes in contemporary society and family life, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas brought on by modernity.

Byrd Theater
Saturday, February 20
($3.00 each showing)

10:30 A.M.
Ip Man
Hong Kong, 2008
Directed by Wilson Yip
105 min. (No MPAA rating)

Behind every great man there lies a teacher, and this was certainly true of Bruce Lee, who claimed as his mentor a martial arts expert named Ip Man (1893-1972). A genius of Wushu (or the Chinese martial arts school), Ip Man grew up in a China nearly ripped to pieces by racial hatred, nationalistic strife and warfare. He rose like a phoenix above these ashes, however, courtesy of his participation in matches against various Wushu masters and kung-fun warriors - ultimately training martial arts icons such as Lee. This biopic from director Wilson Yip dramatizes Ip's life story. Ip Man was released theatrically in Hong Kong in December, 20008, receiving widespread acclaim from critics and audiences. Following its success, Ip Man was nominated for 12 Hong Kong film awards winning awards for Best Film and Best Action Choreography. A sequel titled Ip Man 2 is currently in post-production, and will be released in May 2010.

1:00 P.M.
Jasmine Women
China, 2004
Directed by Hou Yong
130 min. (No MPAA rating)

Jasmine Women is a 2004 film, adapted from Su Tong's novel called Funü Shenghuo which means Women's Lives. It was directed by Hou Yong, formerly a well-known cinematographer. Zang Ziyi plays the youngest of three generations of women who leads lives in Shanghai. Joan Chen plays the great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. The film recounts this family, the mistakes they make, and a cycle that the granddaughter breaks out of. The film was well received by critics and was praised for its use of color and the performances of Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen. Reviewing the film at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Russell Edwards of Variety described Jasmine Women as a "tearjerker of the first order" and a "visual feast" and writes the film is "an impressive showcase" for actress Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen "in multiple roles as daughters and mothers across three generations." The review further states the film is "a picture postcard, with the scenes set in pre-WWII Shanghai particularly impressive for their art direction.”

END: CHINAFEST

Official Website: http://library.richmond.edu/mrc/international-film-series.html