There’s an eclectic grab-bag of screenings around town this weekend, including a Halloween celebration of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Chinese docos up at UCCA, and the finale of the Celluloid China series and a road movie at BC MOMA.

First up, some news from across the Sea of Japan. Earlier this week China once again demonstrated its recent nuanced, restrained approach to diplomacy by throwing a tantrum and storming out of the Tokyo International Film Festival. The UK Telegraph reported:

“The Tokyo International Film Festival descended into farce following a shouting match between the Chinese delegation, the Taiwanese and Japanese organizers over the use of the name ‘Taiwan.’ Representatives of the Chinese film industry reportedly triggered the dispute on Saturday evening by demanding the Japanese organizers of the event change the name ‘Taiwan" to ‘China Taiwan’ or ‘Chinese Taipei.’ When the Taiwanese delegation refused to back down and the Japanese organizers declined to change the name, the Chinese said they would boycott the festival and withdraw the nine films that had been scheduled to be screened. Jiang Qing, head of the Chinese delegation, reportedly shouted ‘Taiwan is Chinese’ during the argument.”

You can read more on the debacle here and here.

For a nation that preaches a policy of “non-interference” China sure likes telling people what to do at overseas cultural events. Last year they “demanded” The Melbourne Film Festival pull a certain unmentionable film from their program (and in the process gave the movie massive publicity in the Australian press), followed by a similar stunt in Taipei. Now comes the Tokyo tantrum. Funny how Beijing is always accusing others of politicizing sporting and cultural events.

Anyway, closer to home here’s what’s happening on screens around town.

BC MOMA’s Celluloid China series celebrating Chinese classics from the past 30 years has been a huge success, attracting large crowds since opening last Saturday. The opening night screening of the 1990 classic Black Snow last Saturday was followed by a fascinating Q&A with director Xie Fei, in which he recalled the turbulent period during which the film was shot in Beijing in mid-1989.

BC MOMA have indicated they may add a couple of extra screenings to the program, but at present Celluloid China is due to wrap up this weekend with the following films, all screening with English subtitles:

In the Heat of the Sun (Jiang Wen, 1994)
Friday, October 29, 7.30pm

Crazy Stone (Ning Hao, 2006)
Saturday, October 30, 2pm

Black Snow (Xie Fei, 1990)
Saturday, October 30, 4pm

Still Life (Jia Zhangke, 2006)
Sunday, October 31, 2pm.

Sacrificed Youth (Zhang Nuanxin, 1985)
Sunday, October 31, 4pm (closing film)

The closing night film will be followed by a Q&A with director Zhang Nuanxin’s daughter, the well-known film critic Nasi – Zhang herself unfortunately passed away in 1995.

All Celluloid China sessions are RMB 40/30 (students)/25 (members).

Also at BC MOMA tonight (Friday, October 29) is another film in the “Young Chinese Filmmakers Showcase.” Jalainur is set in Inner Mongolia and directed by Zhao Ye. The Edinburgh Film Festival described it as “Wim Wenders transposed to China: a beguiling rural road movie.” The screening tonight will feature a Q&A with the director, translated into English. The film is subtitled in English and tickets are RMB 40/30 (students) /25 (members). You can check out other screening times in the Young Chinese Filmmakers Showcase here.

This weekend 798’s Ullens Center for Contemporary Art is profiling the documentaries of Zhou Hao, a former photographer for Xinhua News Agency and Southern Weekly who has made an intriguing-sounding trio of documentaries over the past few years.

Using (2008) emerged from “a chance encounter between the director and a small group of people who, despite all odds, willingly invite him into their world of drug use and peddling.” The Transition Period (2009) traces the last days of the career of a local Party Secretary, while Cop Shop (2010) is an observational work about a police station next to Guangzhou Railway Station. Unfortunately Using is only subtitled in Chinese, but The Transition Period and Cop Shop will screen with English subtitles. Tickets RMB 15, schedule below.

Friday, October 29
7pm
Using (plus director Q&A) No English subtitles.

Saturday, October 30
6pm
Cop Shop (plus director Q&A) English subtitles

Sunday, October 31
4pm
The Transition Period (plus Indie Film Forum Discussion) English subtitles

The EU Film Festival kicks off at various venues around town from Monday, November 1. There’s a huge range of films showing from almost every EU member state, and many of the screenings are free. Check out the full program here.

Finally, if you’re looking for a cinematic way to celebrate Halloween, Electric Shadows has you covered. This Saturday (October 30) they will present the cross-dressing cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bookworm. Drink Specials from 10pm, followed by “screening, singing and mayhem from 11pm.” They’re urging viewers to dress for the occasion and are awarding prizes for “best costumes and most enthusiastic participation.”

Hit it!