2011 Aug 19 Art Attack: Keanu Reeves, Cheap Books, CAFA Gaffes and New Exhibits
You can feel the heat abating and your armpits getting dryer: Hallelujah, autumn in Beijing is here! With it comes promises of Keanu Reeves sightings, better content on video streaming sites, more action on Weibo and tons of art exhibits, plays, film screenings and book talks, book sales, the list goes on and on.
Some of you might remember a previous A+C editor here at the Beijinger gushing over Keanu Reeves (see page 49) in a corner at hutong bar Amilal. Sadly, Christine’s no longer in Beijing, so she’ll miss this next set of sightings. He’s beginning work on his directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi, and is in talks with China Film Group and Village Roadshow Pictures about funding for the film, so he’ll surely be popping in and out of Beijing in the process. Fans of the star as Ted Logan, Jack Traven or the iconic Neo might want to check out this NY Times article discussing whether he’s a “Good Bad Actor or a Bad Good Actor,” then stake out Amilal for yourselves.
Those who still cling to their dose of TV shows and movies from abroad lament the IPO-chasing that causes our favorite video streaming sites to “go legit,” but at least Youku is continuing talks with several studios to provide that content, if not free and pirated, at least cheap and dependable. We’ll be covering these developments at Youku and other sites in more detail soon.
If you’re more about bookworming than stargazing, check out The Bookworm’s bonanza of a book sale this Sunday, from 11-3pm on their rooftop. They’re clearing out their library to make room, so hundreds of books will be on sale for a song. If weather looks threatening, call ahead to make sure it’s still happening.
Meanwhile, the Central Academy of Fine Arts’ bad admissions behavior is stoking Weibo fires. Earlier this week, film director Feng Xiaogang wrote a note on the microblogging site criticizing CAFA for accepting and rejecting its students based on English skills over art chops. He asks, “How come American art schools don’t test their students in Chinese?” Because everyone would fail, that's why.
As we head into late August, be prepared for storms of exhibits, plays, and more. Starting this weekend, we’ve already got a historic opening at the National Art Museum of China on Saturday; creepy photographic works by Pere Ibanez (ushering in Halloween early this year); Rigoletto at the NCPA as well as both The Great Bruce Lee Romance and an original dark comedy The Monster Below at Penghao Theater (interview with the directors and ticket giveaway coming soon!); Food, Film and Friends: Italy at the Hutong and much more.
Events:
August 19-21
Play: The Great Bruce Lee Romance: a Beijing Love Story
Based on the Woody Allen classic Play it Again, Sam with Bruce Lee standing in for Humphrey Bogart, this original play pays tribute to life and love in Beijing. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advanced), RMB 50 (students). 7.30pm. Penghao Theater (6400 6452/72)
August 20-September 10
Image History Existence
Aug 20-Sep 10. Revisit Xiao Lu’s fateful gunshot – considered by many the start of China’s contemporary art movement – in its original setting. The Taikang Life Insurance Co. celebrates 15 years of serious (if under-the-radar) support of Chinese art by airing key pieces from their collection and unveiling some new secret acquisitions. Free. National Art Museum of China (6401 2252/7076)
August 21
Bookworm Book Bonanza
Buy great books for dirt cheap at The Bookworm’s rooftop. If you’ve ever coveted the offerings on The Bookworm’s library shelves, here’s your chance to make them yours. Free. 11am-3pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Food, Film & Friends: Italy
Toss a pizza or two under the guidance of a Hutong chef, then catch a showing of the touching Cinema Paradiso. RMB 240 (non-members), RMB 200 (members), RMB 35 (screening only). 5pm cooking, 7.30pm screening. The Hutong (159 0104 6127)
August 22-24
Pere Ibanez
Peace for Humanity presents a photo showcase of the Spanish artist’s chilling works. Free. New Millennium Gallery, 798 (6432 4122)
August 23
Film: Nanjing! Nanjing!
Lu Chuan’s beautifully nuanced picture of the massacre at Nanjing. Reservation required: contact@cultureyard.net. RMB 25 (includes soft drinks and popcorn). 7pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
August 25
Opera: Rigoletto
A hunchback jester plots to kill his daughter’s lover in take two of the Teatro Regio di Parma’s production in Beijing. RMB 100-800. 7.30pm. NCPA (6655 0000)
August 23-28
Drama: The Monster Below
NY-based playwright David Jacobi presents his original play about two strangers and a soul-sucking demon. RMB 100, RMB 60 (students). 7.30pm (Chinese), 9pm (English). Penghao Theater (6400 6452)
Photos from http://the247news.info and Pere Ibanez
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