2011 May 07 Art Attack: Schooling The Donald and the AIDS Movie that Saved Zhang Ziyi’s Life
This week, it almost doesn’t matter whether your cultural leanings are toward film, books, art exhibits, or performing arts: From Gu Changwei’s long-awaited AIDS film coming out next Tuesday to Wim Delvoye opening at Galerie Urs Meile, and from Tosca at the NCPA to the Donald Trump Book Club, there’s really a little something for everyone.
Several weeks ago, reports popped up that Zhang Ziyi was having suicidal thoughts, until she got wrapped up in her role as Qin Qin in Love for Life (最爱 Zui Ai), Gu Changwei’s upcoming release about a couple living with HIV. Press fodder or fact? You be the judge. The movie opens May 10 in theaters across Beijing, so you can be the judge of that too (although we’ll weigh in with a review next week).
Meanwhile, before you scroll down for details on all the art exhibits opening up this weekend, let’s have a fun little discussion, shall we?
We’ve all been hearing about Donald Trump’s reading habits on China, and how they pretty much make him the self-proclaimed Best China Hand Ever – and therefore an excellent American presidential candidate. God help us.
If you haven’t seen the list, here it is:
1. The Party by Richard McGregor
2. On China by Henry Kissinger
3. Mao: The Untold Story by Jung Chang
4. Tide Players by Jianying Zha
5. One Billion Customers by James McGregor
6. The Coming China Wars by Peter W. Navarro
7. The Beijing Consensus by Stefan Halper
8. China CEO by Juan Antonio Fernandez and Laurie Underwood
9. Poorly Made in China by Paul Midler
10. CHINA: Portrait of a People by Tom Carter
11. The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester
12. China Shakes the World by James Kynge
13. Mr. China by Tim Clissold
14. Country Driving by Peter Hessler
15. The Dragon's Gift by Deborah Brautigam
16. Factory Girls by Leslie T. Chang
17. The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun
18. 1421 by Gavin Menzies
19. Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
20. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
We’re actually pleasantly surprised by how his list encompasses heavy hitters in politics, economics, history, religion, society, and even works of fiction and diaspora issues, although his arrogant claims still warrant netizens’ cries of douchebaggery.
You’re a well-read bunch, right? What would you make The Donald read to better understand China? Leave a comment below; we might be rustling up some prizes for the best answers…
Now, for this week’s happenings:
Art openings:
May 6: Recycling Art
The international Recycling Art Festial of Catalonia presents its best artwork in China for the first time. Free. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666)
May 6: Floriane de Lassée, Inside Views
French photographer Lassée captuires stunning color and atmosphere by juxtaposing lonely human figures with Beijing’s city lights. Part of Festival Croisements. Free. Alliance Française, Guangcai International Mansion (6553 2678)
May 7: Wim Delvoye
The Belgian artist known for tattooing pigs is back with intensely intricate carvings of neo-gothic cement trucks, concrete mixers, and car tires. Free. Galerie Urs Meiles (6433 3393)
May 9: Judge Bao
A Chinese comic artist and French writer team up to bring you the capers of Judge Bao, a legendary and incorruptible judge from 11th century China. Free. Alliance Française, BLCU Center (6553 2678)
Film screenings:
May 6, 14-15, 21-22, 28: Thomas Mao, by Zhu Wen
Independent director Zhu Wen’s dream-like film about two unlikely companions in Inner Mongolia. (Have you seen our feature about the film here?) If you missed the opening screening last night, you can still catch it every weekend this month. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors), RMB 25 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
May 7: Together, by Zhao Liang
If you haven’t seen it yet, now you can watch it days ahead of the release of the Gu Changwei AIDS film that it’s centered on, Love for Life (see below, May 10). It’s a different direction for the darling documentary filmmaker, and in this case, different is good. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors), RMB 25 (members). 5pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
May 8: The Lost Weekend
Iconic Hollywood director Billy Wilder’s 1945 film about a struggling alcoholic's tumultuous weekend. The movie was touted as being way ahead of its time. Reservation required: email contact@cultureyard.net or call 8404 4166. RMB 25 (includes soft drinks and popcorn). 6.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
May 10: Love for Life (Zui Ai), by Gu Zhangwei
This major release features Zhang Ziyi and Aaron Kwok as two villagers dealing with the realities of living with AIDS. Opens in theater across Beijing on Tuesday.
Stage:
May 12-15: Tosca
Director Giancarlo del Monaco is famed for his high-energy rehearsals and unyielding demands. Tough for his singers, great for the audience! Tosca is his first production in China, and it promises to be a good one. Look for our interview with him next week, too. RMB 180-800. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)
You might also be interested in :
Stage Rage: Tosca Opens and We Chat with Director Giancarlo Del Monaco About Opera in China
Tosca opens tonight, and before we start taking these sorts of productions for granted, the Beijinger went behind the scenes to understand just how opera is developing in China today.
This isn’t the first production of Tosca here in Beijing, but it is the first time director Giancarlo del Monaco tries his hand at the NCPA. From talking to him, we gather that there’s a cultural gold rush of sorts taking place. The best in the global performing arts community are all fascinated, want their chance at debuting at the NCPA, want an opportunity to pop their heads into Beijing’s proverbial door and see what the heck is going on here.
Film Review: Gu Changwei Tackles AIDS Ignorance in “Love for Life,” but Softly
There are as many English titles for this movie (Love for Life, Til Death Do Us Part, Life is a Miracle) as there are cameo appearances by big Chinese directors (Jiang Wen, Feng Xiaogang, Lu Chuan), but all that nomenclature and star power still isn’t going to teach China about AIDS.
Admittedly, raising awareness about the condition here is a huge task, and Gu Changwei’s efforts to take a first stab at it are laudable, if not fully effective. In fact, his production process – which peopled the cast and crew with members of the AIDS community, including the film’s young narrator – might have been more fruitful than the finished product that hit theaters today.
Philadelphia it’s not, but as China’s first major film release to tackle AIDS in a very public way, it’s worth examining.
Tosca Takes the Plunge: A Review of the NCPA Production
As the seminal event set to break the next barrier in the NCPA's production quality, this Tosca succeeds on many fronts. Giancarlo del Monaco is a confident, controlled director; conductor Lu Jia has been feted for understanding Italian music even better than the Italians; the costuming was gorgeous, the stage design absolutely spectacular; and the musicians and performers were dynamic and theatrical, as a good Tosca cast should be.
But at times, it could feel like a dish made with the world's best ingredients, which just haven't been allowed quite enough time to simmer so the flavors fully meld. Even so, dishes like that can still be some of the best you've ever tasted, and this one's worth an indulgence.
Art Attack: Affordable Art, Comic Korean Cooks, Tosca and Thomas
I'm currently debilitated by a pinched nerve, but that doesn't stop you from going out this weekend and getting some well-priced art in 798, laughing yourself silly to the tune of banging pots and pans, or finally catching that Zhu Wen flick with the dogs, wire-fu and aliens, now does it?
Art Attack: Shteyngart Wheezes, Kurt Cobain Lives and Budding Filmmakers Ask Elders to Relive Horrors of the Past
You should all be drunk on sunshine by now instead of sitting in front of your computer screens. But if you’re looking for things to do this weekend, that’s fair enough. We’re in a quiet before the storm as we all await Caochangdi PhotoSpring and other new exhibits near May Festival. But, between a documentary series at UCCA’s art cinema and a new debut at BC MOMA that channels Kurt Cobain, you’ve got some sound options.
