This October, Canada and the People’s Republic of China are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries have maintained productive relations for several decades now, enriched by exchanges in such varied sectors as science, agriculture, trade, the environment, medicine and culture. To mark this memorable anniversary, the National Film Board (NFB) is presenting seven recent films produced by China’s movie industry at the Toronto NFB Mediatheque from October 8 to 13. Several of the films are making their Canadian premiere alongside a selection of films produced by the NFB. The screenings are FREE and are being organized jointly by China’s Film Office of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the NFB.
About the Program
Friday, October 8 at 6:30 pm
Forever Enthralled by Chen Kaige, 2008
An epic film on the life of the famed Chinese opera singer Mei Lanfang, starring Zhang Ziyi and Masanobu Ando, rising star Shaoqun Yu, who gives a remarkable performance, and Xueqi Wang in a supporting role. Named Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2009, Forever Enthralled has been presented in several competitions, including the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009.
Saturday, October 9 at 1 pm – program for the whole family
The Dream of Jinsha, animated film, 2010 (Canadian premiere)
Xiao Long, a schoolboy around ten years old, accidentally goes back in time to an ancient Chinese empire that existed 3,500 years ago. That’s when the problems start…
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Friends of Kwan Ming.
Saturday, October 9 at 3 pm
Walking to School by Peng Jiahuang and Peng Cheng, 2009 (Canadian premiere)
Children of the Lisu tribe in the Yunnan mountains have a strange way of getting to school: they have to dangle from a hook above the gorges of the Nujiang River and slide along a steel cable. Young Wawa will defy authority to gain access to the education that he deems so invaluable.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Chinese Violin.
Saturday, October 9 at 7 pm
Confucius by Mei Hu, 2010
A sweeping historic epic about the life of the great thinker Confucius from his early years as an ordinary accountant to his transformation into a philosopher and sage, including his prophetic travels to China’s northern kingdoms. Confucius is played by renowned actor Chow Yun-Fat.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB film Roses Sing on New Snow.
Tuesday, October 12 at 7 pm
Bodyguards and Assassins by Teddy Chen, 2009
The story is set in the early 20th century. Hong Kong is a British colony and the corrupt Qing Dynasty rules China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who will later be called “the father of the nation,” the founder of the Chinese Republic, has arrived to organize the revolt. He must fight to survive in a city where danger lurks at every corner.
Wednesday, October 13 at 7 pm
Go Lala Go! by Xu Jinglei, 2010 (Canadian premiere)
Du Lala is a determined woman who begins her career as a humble receptionist. Little by little she moves up the ranks, overcoming stress and frustration to reach her goal. A comedy about the ruthless business world.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Chinese Violin.
Wednesday, October 13 at 9 pm
The Message by Chen Kuo-Fu and Gao Qunshu
In 1942, during the Japanese army’s occupation of China, Japanese officers in Nanking are threatened by a series of assassination attempts. The head of the intelligence agency gathers a group of witnesses for some heavy-duty questioning. A game of cat and mouse ensues and the tension is palpable.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB film Fragrant Light.
NFB Mediatheque
150 John Street (corner of Richmond West)
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3C3
416-973-3012
