In the last twenty years the cinemas of the East have developed an incredibly sophisticated and diverse body of work, and have been garnering increasing attention in the West, not just at Film Festivals but on the shelves of high street shops. From the charm of the 1980s Hong Kong action flick, through the artistry of China's Fifth Generation and the Tawainese new wave, to the dynamism of the New Korean Cinema; Asian cinema has reinvented film language as we know it, wresting an essentially western medium from its roots and inflecting it with specifically Oriental themes and forms. Often innovative and formally beautiful, Asian film has reinvigorated cinema and began to challenge the dominance of an increasingly stagnant Hollywood. Hollywood's only defence has been to remake Asian films badly. This Blog will provide a personal commentary on the Asian film renaissance.

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Cinema China Day 10 - Final Festivities

The grey haired gentleman in the above image is none other than Xie Fei, one of the leading directors of the Forth Generation of Chinese filmmakers and mentor of the Fifth and Sixth generations. And yes, unlikely as it sounds, he is dancing in a Salsa club. This was taken at the celebratory post festival meal. Not only are his films inspiring but so is the man himself - modest, intelligent, kind hearted. Its great that enduring ten years of the cultural revolution has done nothing to dampen his sense of style, and his dancing was putting everyone else to shame - not bad for someone in their sixties. What a great end to the festival! Until next year... Ni hao


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