14th Spring Film Festival Showcases 6 Remarkable Chinese Films This January
There have been quite a few film festivals featuring internationally produced films organized in the Philippines. Beyond local and Hollywood films, these screenings show that there is a whole lot of exciting movies being produced from places we are not that familiar with.
With the recent global recognition of South Korean film Parasite, we should all know by now that subtitles must not keep us from appreciating foreign films. And from January 19 to 26, 2020, you will able to witness six Chinese films for free at the 14th Spring Film Festival happening at Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet.
Here are the films you should definitely not miss!
The Great Wall
For those who are interested in action and monster films, The Great Wall is the perfect movie for you. The film revolves around European mercenaries who met a secret army that protects the Great Wall of China against the monstrous creatures. Featuring Hollywood blockbuster star Matt Damon alongside Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, and Willem Dafoe, the movie paints a fantastical epic portrait of ancient China.
The Monkey King 2
The Monkey King 2 is a Hong Kong-Chinese film tackling a Tang Priest who is appointed by Buddha to travel to the West and seek for sacred scriptures, only to accidentally free the Monkey King. Filled with surreal 3D effects and kooky human-animal hybrids, it’s a fun look into Chinese fantasy film.
Little Door Gods
Little Door Gods is another animated film perfect for families. It follows a soup vendor’s family as the business falls on hard times. To help them get back on track, spirit guardians come alive to grant them prosperity. But with modern technology, people don’t believe in the guardians anymore, so the spirits set out to make people trust in their value again.
Battle of Memories
Battle of Memories is a sci-fi movie on Jiang Feng, a writer who undergoes a procedure to erase his memories. Unfortunately, he encountered an accident, which makes him switch his restore card with the mind of a serial killer.
Our Shining Days
Our Shining Days is a fun musical comedy about high school students who want to revive a Chinese Orchestra ensemble. Along the way, they face challenges in competing nationally specifically people who choose Western classical music over Chinese Orchestra.
Jian Bing Man
In superhero parody movie Jian Bing Man, a popular TV personality gets embroiled in a scandal that forces him to make his own movie with a tiny budget. He decides to adapt a script about an alien who arrives on earth and has several silly adventures as a superhero.
The screening schedules are as follows:
Sunday, January 19
- Our Shining Days – 3:00 p.m.
- Little Door Gods – 5:10 p.m.
- The Monkey King 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 20
- The Great Wall – 2:55 p.m.
- Jian Bing Man – 5:10 p.m.
- The Monkey King 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 21
- Little Door Gods – 3:00 p.m.
- Our Shining Day – 5:20 p.m.
- Battle of Memories – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 22
- Jian Bing Man – 2:45 p.m.
- The Monkey King 2 – 5:00 p.m.
- Our Shining Days – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 23
- Our Shining Days – 2:50 p.m.
- Battle of Memories – 5:00 p.m.
- Little Door Gods – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 24
- The Monkey King 2 – 2:45 p.m.
- The Great Wall – 5:15 p.m.
- Jian Bing Man – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 25
- Battle of Memories – 2:40 p.m.
- Little Door Gods – 5:10 p.m.
- Our Shining Days – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 26
- Our Shining Days – 3:00 P.M.
- Little Door Gods – 5:10 p.m.
- The Monkey King 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Aside from the movie screening, there is so much more to look forward to at the festival including a display of traditional Chinese paintings at the Confucius Institute Painting Exhibit.
Additionally, a special Chinese musical event by the Philippine Cultural College Chinese Orchestra and Wu Shu and Lion dance by Northern Rizal Yorklin School are taking place on January 25, 2020.
For art enthusiasts, appreciate and learn more about the fine craft of traditional Chinese art at the Chinese Painting Workshop by Art Association of the Philippines President Master Fidel M. Sarmiento and Vice President Roger Santos to be held on January 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This event was possible with the help of Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies, the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Get to explore the vibrant culture of China through a vast array of exciting activities at the 14th Spring Film Festival!
For more information and inquiries, visit the Shangri-La Facebook page and or follow them on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.
Details
What: 14th Spring Film Festival
Where: Red Carpet, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City
When: January 19 to 26, 2020
Ticket Information: Free
Website: shangrila-plaza.com
Facebook: facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/shangrilaplazaofficial
Source: Shangri-La Plaza press release
Images courtesy of Shangri-La Plaza