Tuesday's Film Roundup

With the recent back and forth about the supposed ban on Hollywood movies in China for the next 3 months, it's reassuring to note that for this week at least, there are loads of Chinese independent films showing around town for you to enjoy. For a complete roundup of what's showing around town this week, keep reading below.

The 2nd Forum on Young Generation in Film Making

Much in the same vein as the Beijing Movie Festival (see below), The Second Forum on the Young Generation of Film Making will showcase Chinese independent cinema's up-and-coming talent. The two-day forum will see a number of noted directors, producers and actors discuss their views on the state of the independent Chinese movie scene at College of Art and Communication, Beijing Normal University. There will also be free screenings of 30 recent independent Chinese movies throughout the week, most of which will have subtitles but be sure to call ahead to check. Recommended viewing on Wednesday, December 19 is Yin Lichuan’s The Park (Gongyuan) at 5-7pm. The touching story focuses on a meddling father who attempts to find a suitable partner for his daughter, and is well worth checking out.

New Beijing Int’l Movie Festival

Coming across as a bunch of plucky upstarts, the organizers of the Beijing Int’l Movie Festival have secured a number of cult treats for you to enjoy in some great alternative theaters across town between December 17-23. The Highlight is perhaps a screening of mock rockumentary Megwoman at Yugongyishan tonight, which is followed by live performances from some ace bands. You can check out the full schedule here, and be sure to get out there and support some local talent in the uber-competitive film world.

Gongti Screening of Assembly

Gongti will be buzzing with excitement on December 18, when Zhang Ziyi and Stephen Chow will be in town for an advanced screening of Assembly (集结号Ji Jie Hao), the new war film from director Feng Xiaogang. Already dubbed as “the Chinese Saving Private Ryan”, the film will have to go someway to repair the Feng Xiaogang’s reputation after the critically panned Banquet. No tickets are available for the screening, so you’ll have to wait for it to open nation-wide on December 20. You can take a peek at the trailer here.

Films Around Town

The Warlords
This film about three blood brothers’ struggle, betrayal and revenge in the midst of the Taiping Rebellion is directed by Peter Chan, who's famous for Comrades: Almost a Love Story (Tian Mimi) and Perhaps Love (Ruguo Ai). We're guessing that most people will be watching (and since the Dec 13 release - a lot of people have already been watching) because the film has a star-studded cast that includes the versatile Jet Li, Takeshi Kaneshiro (according to some - the Asian Matt Damon), Andy Lau and blogger extrordinaire Xu Jinglei. Unfortunately, according to a few of the cinemas we called, the copies of the film showing in Beijing do not seem to have English subtitles. See an interview with the director in that's Beijing's December Cinema Feature. For some early reviews and a peek at the trailer click here.

Screening Times for Films (Blind Mountain, Lost in Beijing and Crossed Lines do not have English subtitles) in Beijing – Tuesday Dec 18

(All times and prices have been taken from today’s Beijing News or this website – it would be a good idea to call and confirm details)

Haidian
UME International Cineplex
The Warlords
16:30 19:00 21:20 23:40
Digital Screenings: 15:00 15:40 17:20 18:00 19:40 20:20 20:50 20:55 22:00 22:40 23:15

Lust, Caution
11:55

Lost in Beijing
Digital Screenings: 16:45

Crossed Lines
Digital Screenings: 14:35

CBD
Wanda International Cinema
Lost in Beijing
10:00

Crossed Lines
15:40 20:20

Lust, Caution
18:30

The Warlords
15:10 15:30 16:10 16:30 16:50 17:10 17:30 17:50 18:10 18:50 19:10 19:30 19:50 20:10 20:30 20:50 21:20 21:30 21:50 22:10 22:30 22:50

Art Gallery
Changhong Cinema
Warlords
15:25 15:55 16:25 16:50 18:50 17:20 17:50 18:30 19:15 19:30 19:45 20:15 20:45 21:15 21:40 22:10

Dongsishitiao
East Gate Cinema
The Warlords
10:20 10:50 12:40 13:10 14:20 15:00 15:30 16:40 17:20 17:50 19:00 19:40 20:10 21:20 22:00 22:30 23:40
Digital Screenings: 16:10 18:30 20:50 23:10

Lust, Caution
15:20

Lost in Beijing
14:50 16:40

Wangfujing
Xindong'an Cinema

The Warlords
15:10 15:40 16:10 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:20 19:50 20:20 20:50 21:40 22:10

Lost in Beijing
15:20 17:10

Lust, Caution
12:20 15:00

Crossed Lines
16:20 17:20

Star City

Lust, Caution
12:10 17:10

Crossed Lines
14:50 20:00 22:20

Xidan
Shoudu Shidai Cinema
Lost in Beijing
15:40 17:30

Lust, Caution
15:50

Crossed Lines
15:00 16:20 17:10

The Warlords
15:00　16:15 16:45 17:15 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:45 21:15 21:45

East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
Lost in Beijing
16:40 18:30 20:20

Crossed Lines
15:50 17:50 19:50 21:50

The Warlords
15:10 15:40 16:20 16:50 17:20 17:50 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:40 21:10 21:40 22:10 22:50

Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
Lust, Caution
22:00

Lost in Beijing
19:15

Crossed Lines
15:10 17:20 19:45 21:50

Ratatouille
11:40

The Warlords
15:00 15:35 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:35 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:30 23:00