Chinese films. Oleg Makarenko Posting in CHAT: Russia A non-obvious fact: the communists tormented China for less than 30 years, from 1949 to 1978. In 1949, Mao Zedong won a long and bloody civil war, driving Chiang Kai-shek's army to Taiwan, and already in 1978, the wise successor, the Great Leader Deng Xiaoping, stopped the terrible experiment, turning China towards healthy capitalism. This period is well represented in the Chinese film To Live (1994). The action begins in the 1940s, in a still normal society, and then for several decades the scriptwriters drag an honest Chinese family through all the trials sent from above: expropriation of carpets, blast furnaces in every yard, persecution of educated people, etc. . The film turned out to be historical, and therefore scary. But still, it has a fundamental difference from destructive nonsense like our “Leviathan”: the film “Live” shows kind and decent people who try to remain that way even under communism. In total, I've watched about 25 Chinese films recently, mostly from this list (link), compiled by film critic Alexei Khromov. As it turned out during the viewing, my views on good cinema are fundamentally at odds with the opinion of the compiler of the list. So if both I and the original creative director liked the film, we can reasonably hope that you will too. By the way, remember the name Gong Li: she is an actress who has appeared in many of the films I mention below. Let's start with films that I don't recommend wasting time on. Firstly, The Wandering Earth (2019) mod seemed more like a tech demo to me than a full-fledged fantasy. Everything flashes like on TikTok, everything is too banal and too fast. Plus: good CGI and a heroic Russian cosmonaut, which is too little to fill a two-hour movie. I also don’t recommend “Sniper” (2021): there seems to be nothing to complain about, but after watching it there is a lasting aftertaste of wasted time. Finally, I do not recommend the famous “Chongqing Express” (1994), the plot of which can be characterized by the classic slogan: “play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” It's clear why Quentin Tarantino liked the film. Why anyone else should watch this movie is beyond me. Another thing is the action movie “Killer” (1989). It’s filmed naively simply, like in Doom or a similar computer game, but there is a plot and characters. In any case, I won't recommend either "Killer" or the weird movie "Under the Hot Sun" (1994) because they didn't touch my sensibilities, and because there's no specifically Chinese taste: film execution. could easily have been transported to Mexico or Poland. Secondly, I do not recommend films about the Japanese occupation and especially films about the Nanjing tragedy. Yes, the Japanese behaved like real monsters during World War II, and the Chinese remember this well. However, looking at all these horrors is difficult: for a non-Chinese, it might be wiser to read the Wikipedia article about the Nanjing Massacre and leave it at that. I would especially like to mention the film “Devils at the Door” (2000), dear to Western critics. This is an arthouse in the bad sense of the word, so I would not release this film outside of festivals for my own audience. If you do decide to watch one of the films about the Nanjing Massacre, I recommend Flowers of War (2011). It’s also scary, but still shot with talent, and in color, and not in the monochrome tones usual for the theme of war crimes. I was also impressed by the epic “The Battle of Chosin Reservoir” (2021) - it is already about the Korean War, so the emphasis is on the heroism of the soldiers, and not on the cruelty of the occupiers. Third, I advise you to avoid watching the much-lauded film Farewell My Concubine (1993). In my opinion, the film would have been better titled “Brokeback Opera”: it deals with the suffering of minorities in traditional China, the film also contains elements of hard BDSM and several suicides. The icing on the cake: it is the only Chinese film to win the Golden Bough at Cannes. Now about the films that were useful for me to watch. Some of the films listed below fascinated me, others bored me, but together they gave me a lot of new knowledge and impressions about China, so that now I look at our glorious neighbor with completely different eyes than before the video began. marathon For example, did you know that there are harems in China too? Not improvised sirs, like those of Russian landowners of the 18th century or the chairmen of Soviet collective farms, but real, official harems? The film Light the Red Lantern (1991) is about exactly this: 1920s, provincial Chinese feudal lord, four wives of different ages who naturally form a “tight-knit group of women.” “City 24” (2008) is about a more recent time, about the Chinese analogue of our rapid nineties, when huge communist giant factories closed, leaving employees thrown out into the cold without a livelihood. This particular film takes place on the remains of an airline in Chengdu, which local authorities have decided to demolish to build a luxury apartment complex in its place. Our fans of the Soviet Union are outraged by such stories, while the Chinese, on the contrary, consider the closure of unprofitable and inefficient factories a reasonable step, since it created an excess of cheap labor, useful for the economy. By the way, you can put aside your handkerchiefs while watching: the film is presented as a documentary, but specially trained actors tell touching stories. “Thirst” (2007) is a colorful drama about the personal lives of revolutionaries and counterintelligence officers during the Second World War. For a romance to attract attention, there must be some kind of barrier between lovers: here it is, and one that sparkles. Another high-profile relationship drama is In the Mood for Love (2000). This is Hong Kong, 1960s, a story of two entangled hearts. It was beautifully shot, despite the fact that life in Hong Kong at that time was poor. The film is too long for my taste: it had to be cut three times. At the 44th minute there is an Easter egg, a Russian word on the clock. If I were asked to choose an educational film that would take the viewer by the hand through major periods of modern Chinese history, I would choose Earthquake (2010). The family story begins in 1976, in a town of poor cyclists, and ends in the 2000s, in a rapidly growing rich land of opportunity. I would call the film an excellent example of healthy patriotic propaganda, if not for a characteristic feature: one of the film’s heroines settles in Canada. This is a big problem in China - many people consider it normal to emigrate to Canada for a full life, leaving China behind as an insignificant, dirty collective farm where you can work, but you cannot live. The Chinese authorities are trying to fight the scourge of cosmopolitanism, but victory is still far away. Rural China in the 1980s is depicted in Qiu Jiu Goes to Court (1992). It's hard for me to define the genre of the film, but the court battle was interesting to watch. It is strange to realize that at that time some Chinese had already launched satellites into space, while others were still living on the subsistence economy of the 19th century, and that to move between different eras it was enough to travel a short distance on a bicycle or. by bus. You probably know the films with Jackie Chan without me, “Drunken Master” (1978) and “Drunken Master 2” (1994). The plot about the first drunken master is a classic of the river-lake genre, that is, the genre where well-choreographed battles of skilled fighters unfold against the backdrop of a “historical” landscape of uncertain antiquity. The main villain in The Drunken Master is as colorful as those in the best Westerns, but I'm not enough of a movie buff to say with certainty who influenced whom. “Drunken Master 2” is already about English villains and trains, an important part of the history of real China. If Chinese directors hate the Japanese, they simply don't like the British - and for good reason. Here I should make a big digression, describing in detail how Chinese films differ from Hong Kong ones, but I, perhaps, will limit myself to a small remark: Hong Kong returned to its home port only in 1997, so its film. the industry was significantly different from the “mainland”. Fighting can also be found in the film “Ip Man” (2008), about the teacher Bruce Lee. It looks quite fun, even if the viewer is indifferent to kung fu. Part of the plot is dedicated to the Japanese occupation, but this time the writers softened the past, without massacres and the like. The film, among other things, explores the Chinese concept of loss of face from several angles. “House of Flying Daggers” (2004) – again rivers and lakes, that is, a fictional Chinese Middle Ages, very beautiful costumes and unexpectedly Russian nature. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000) - the same thing, only with the romanticization of suicide, to which Roskomnadzor would probably react…
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Top 5 inspiring films from blogger KINOKOS – March 31, 2024 – Russia today Posting in CHAT: Russia Timothée Chalamet played the dreamy Wonka. Source: Warner Bros. Images / YouTube.com This past week has been really hard. Turning on the news doesn't bring you any comfort, but your heart wants a break from the overwhelming sadness. NGS55.RU together with Omsk millionaire blogger KINOKOS have put together five light films that you can watch at home under a blanket and with a cup of tea. “Wonka” (2023) About the big dream of a young chocolatier Actor Timothée Chalamet continues to win hearts around the world: recently he has been shining not only in the new “Dune”, but also in the warm Christmas comedy “Wonka”. Chalamet plays a young Willy Wonka. Let us remember that the matured character was played by Johnny Depp in the 2005 film. In the new film, the chocolatier is not yet famous: he has one sovereign in his pocket, and a small candy factory in his suitcase. But isn't this enough to fulfill the dream of owning your own pastry shop in a big city? “Wonka” is a musical about a guy who believes in himself and inspires others with his dreams. Suitable for future traders and simply those who want to add a little hope for a bright future to their lives. “Wonka” is now at the peak of popularity Source: Kinoman/YouTube.com “Ford v Ferrari” (2019) About how to make the impossible a reality The film is about how the story of the legendary Ford GT40 was interpreted by the handsome Christian Bale and Matt Damon. In the story, Ford is faced with a seemingly impossible task - to make a car that will beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. No one could do this before. To do this, the company hardly hires the rude, tenacious, but talented racer Ken Miles. It is he who tests the GT40 and leads Ford to victory. Matt Damon played car designer Carroll Shelby, Miles' partner. The blockbuster is packed with action, and Ford v Ferrari won two Oscars for Best Editing and Best Sound Editing. Christian Bale lost 20 kilograms for the role. Source: iVideos/YouTube. com “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (2023) About loyal friends who help in difficult times In the plot of the Hollywood fantasy, the bard Ejin escapes from prison along with his accomplice Holga. Having freed himself, he learns that he was betrayed and robbed by an accomplice who became a lord. The musician assembles a team to take revenge and return lost love. This is a light adventure action film that has many positive reviews on Kinopoisk, which you can watch with friends or family. A film for true lovers of board games: it is based on the ancestor of all role-playing games - Dungeons & Dragons. There is a lot of action in the film. Source: Kinoman/YouTube com “A Promise Isn't the Same as a Marriage” (2008) About Love Overcoming Failure If you love 2000s rom-coms like “Love Actually” and “Exchange Holiday,” then this is definitely the movie for you . Who should call first: a man or a woman? How to save a long relationship from everyday life? Does a couple need to get married after seven years of relationship? Eternal questions that the heroes of the film are trying to answer. The film was shot at a time when correspondence - friendship was a novelty then, and every rom-com had a happy ending. Indicated for those who like to feel nostalgic and gather to gossip with friends. The film has a star cast: Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson and others. Source: “Film Trailers” / YouTube.com “One More at a Time” (2020) About men who are confused in life In a philosophical drama with starring sexy Mads Mikkelsen, the director raises the question: does alcohol make “Are you happy?” Four middle-aged teachers will have to test this hypothesis: history, psychology, music and physical education. To do this, they agree to drink a little every day, except weekends. And then something went wrong, the director does not want to teach the viewer, but says only one thing: life goes on, no matter what. This comical and brutal film is suitable for anyone going through a crisis, not just the middle aged. Reviews say that this film really heals the soul. Source: iVideos / YouTube.com Source link Source link
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premieres of films and TV series from March 28 to April 3 – Russia today Posting in CHAT: Russia The cinema screens original films and European thrillers. On TV you can watch the new season of Mutual Consent, the comedy by Sergei Svetlakov and even the remake of Drive... Oh, sorry, another series, but we were almost right! Watch “Nonnormal” in the cinema “Nonnormal” Photo: still from the film 8-year-old Kolya has a rare disease, due to which he is “not like everyone else.” His mother's new acquaintance, Yuri, accidentally discovers Kolya's musical talent. Now the boy has a goal in life - to win a piano competition, for which he will have to go to China. The directorial debut of a good actor, and more recently a director-writer-producer Ilya Malanin (“The Theory of Big Money”). The role of Kolya is played by young debutant Elisey Svezhentsev, and his adult friend is played by Alexander Yatsenko. Opening film of the Spirit of Fire Film Festival 2024. “The Tales of Hoffmann” “The Tales of Hoffmann” Photo: still from the film Nadya works as a cloakroom attendant in a Moscow theater. She is married to a not very pleasant man, alone in herself and has already lost hope for any changes. Suddenly, one of the theater visitors whose coat she accepted notices that Nadya has incredibly beautiful hands and decides to help her build a career in cinema and advertising. The opening film of the next film festival – “In Short” 2023. An everyday story about a handsome prince, but twisted into a wonderful story of glory and disappointment. In the role of the owner of beautiful hands - Ekaterina Vilkova (“Encryption”), in other roles Evgeny Tsyganov, Maxim Stoyanov, Alexey Guskov and others. “Maternal Instinct” “Maternal Instinct” Photo: still from the film Celine and Alice are neighbors living in love and harmony with their husbands and children. The idyll is interrupted at some point when, as a result of a seemingly accident, the child of one of them tragically dies. Trust and goodwill between them are replaced by suspicion and a thirst for revenge. The American remake of the 2018 French thriller of the same name is no better or worse than the original. Instead of Verle Baetens and Anne Cozens - Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. The director is cinematographer Benoit Delhomme (“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”), for whom this film became his directorial debut. “I am the captain” “I am the captain” Photo: still from the film Seydoux is a young man from Senegal, tired of life in the slums. Together with his friend, he sets off to meet his dream in Italy, where he plans to get there by sea. He does not yet know what terrible and inhuman trials await him along this path. The modern Italian classic Matteo Garrone (“The Dog”) made a rather unexpected and, at the same time, very original film. The title role is played by the incredibly organic debutant Seydoux Sarr. Oscar nomination and six (!) awards at the film festival. Venice Film Festival in the nomination for best director of the House “Mutual Consent 2” “Mutual Consent 2” Photo: still from the series A successful entrepreneur and exemplary family man, Grigory Venishev, was killed. The widow Marina is blamed for the incident. But the deeper the investigation dives into this story, the more obvious it becomes that her motives are not so clear, and Venishev was, to put it mildly, not as remarkable as everyone thought about him. “Anatomy of Autumn” at home - or just a new season of one of the brightest Russian TV series. Not a continuation, but literally a new story with new characters and plot, as was the case in “Why Women Kill”. Main roles: Glafira Tarkhanova (“Urine”) , TV presenter Elena Hanga and lead singer of the Night Snipers group Diana Arbenina. “Cossack” “Cossack” Photo: still from the series For bad behavior and studies, a simple schoolboy Stepan is sent to the village to his grandmother, where there is no Internet or devices. Having accidentally fallen into a well, he finds himself in the same village, but in the early 17th century, among the Cossacks, who decide to take upon themselves the upbringing of a poor teenager. Comedy from the Internet Development Institute and the director of “High Security Vacation.” Among the authors are humorists Sergei Svetlakov, Leonid Morgunov, Said Davdiev, as well as the screenwriters of “The Secret of the Vanished Village.” Cast: Alexey Kravchenko, Nikolai Schreiber, Vladimir Epifantsev and others. “The Master in Moscow” “The Master in Moscow” Photo: still from the series Returning to Russia from Paris in the grip of revolutionary events, the once fugitive Count Alexander Rostov finds himself under house arrest in a luxury hotel opposite the Kremlin. Struggling with unemployment, he watches from the window what is happening in the history of his newfound homeland. The film adaptation of the satirical novel of the same name by the American writer Amor Toles is in its own way more light-hearted and funny than gloomy and “cranberry”. Skeptics will be interested in Ewan McGregor in the title role, as well as other roles including Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Death Proof) and Leah Harvey (Foundation). “Parish” “Parish” Photo: still from the series In the past, Gracian Parish was an iconic figure in the criminal world, but later decided to retire, became an exemplary family man and lived a normal life. When his son is killed, he realizes that his past has come back to him. Now the hero decides to find the killers by getting a job as a driver who takes criminals away from crime scenes. A remake of the British series “The Driver” (by the way, the original in English is called The Driver - Ryan Gosling, is that you?). Starring Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito. The original script was written by Naked creator Daniel Blockhurst, and the new version was developed by the original creators and the writers of Billions. Source link Source link