Film Series “China: 5 Perspectives of Women”

Casa Asia collaborates with Fundació Institut Confuci de Barcelona in this series devoted to 5 female Chinese directors that have directed some of the most important films made in China since 2007 to 2017. Interest in this series is obvious given the sensitivity of the authors, who are not unique in their country, but are among the most representative such as Ann Hui, Xu Jinglei or Vivian Qu.

Films like Buddha Mountain by Li Yu, Ella, una joven china, by Guo Xiaolu or Love Education by Sylvia Chang are representative of this good practice and of an almost autobiographic narrative because they talk about themselves and about all the women of their country. With the five films screened during the series, the public will be able to understand the importance of a gender cinema offered with the perspectives of their directors.

The series begins on the 22nd of May 2019 with the presentation of the book Historia del cine chino (Editorial Berenice-Almuzara, 2019) with the participation of Ricard Planas, author of the book, Quim Crusellas, Director of Festival Nits de cinema oriental de Vic, and Gloria Fernández, Director of CineAsia.

Presentation of the films and film-fórum
Gloria Fernández y Enrique Garcelán, CineAsia.
Ricard Planas, teacher at the deparment of Humanities of Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

PROGRAMME

Wednesday 29th of May 2019, 6.30pm

Buddha Mountain 观音山, Dir. Li Yu | China | 2010 | 105 min
In Chengdu, China, a retired opera singer, Ms Zhang, hosts a trio of young people as tenants, a rock singer and two waiters, who have run away from home after leaving school. They will have to share their house trying to search for love in their desperate and chaotic lives. (2010. Best Film at the first edition of the Casa Asia Film Week).

Wednesday 5th of June 2019, 6.30pm

Una vida sencilla 桃姐, Dir. Ann Hui | China | 2011 | 117 min
Chun Tao-Chung has worked as a servant for the Leung family for 60 years. Now she looks after Roger, the only member of the Leung family who still lives in Hong Kong. One day, after work, Roger discovers that Tao has suffered a stroke and takes her to hospital. When she says she wants to quit her job and go to a home, he finds her a room in a centre that belongs to an old friend of his. Dedicating time and attention to Tao’s needs and cravings, Roger discovers what the old servant means for him. (2011: Venice Festival: Copa Volpi to the best actress (Deanie Yip).

Wednesday 12th of June 2019, 6.30pm

So Young 致我们终将逝去的青春, Dir. Zhao Wei | China | 2013 | 117 min
The film shows the experiences of a group of young students of university. Set in China in the 90’s it is a reflection of what love and friendship is in contrast with ambition, omissions and broken dreams. (2013. Best New Director at the Golden Roster Awards).

Wednesday 19th of June 2019, 6.30pm

Ella, una joven china 中国姑娘, Dir. Guo Xiaolu | China | 2009 | 98 min
Mei is a young Chinese woman who decides to leave her boring life in a village for the rush of Chongqing, the closest city. But nothing turns out as expected. After being fired from the factory where she works, she falls in love with Spikey, a hit man whose past soon catches his with him. Without thinking twice, she goes to London where she marries a man older than him, Mr Hunt.

Wednesday 26th of June 2019, 6.30pm

Love education 相爱相亲, Dir. Sylvia Chang | China | 2017 | 120 min
Sensitive generational drama about love through three women who represent the past, present and future of China. Their daughter, Hui Ying, decides to move her father’s grave from his hometown to their mother’s grave. However, his first wife, who has looked after the grave for years, does not accept it, and her disagreement ends up becominga problem for the whole city. (2019: 9 Nominations to the Hong Kong Film Awards among which we highlight the best film, director, script, actor and actress).