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Cinema  of  China
Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

• Page Two •

Foreign Cinema Pages Cinema of Asia Page Cinema of Canada Page Cinema of France Pages Cinema of Germany Page Cinema of India Pages Cinema of Italy Pages Cinema of Japan Page Cinema of Mexico Page Cinema of Russia Page Cinema of Spain Page

here on page 2: selected films of China 1990 • 2010 NEW movies, coming soon back on page 1: top of page filmmakers of China actors & others of China books on Chinese cinema links

Genres of Chinese Cinema

Noir Films of Asia at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore

Magic Lantern's Charlie Chan Movies Pages

Hong Kong Martial Arts Movies

"Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film" [2006] by David West I.B. Tauris 8½x5½ pb [12/2006] for $14.95

Selected  Films  of  China
{ in chronological order }
China's films have received 1 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® win, among 7 Best Foreign Film nominations:
Taiwan won 1 of 3, Mainland China has had 2 nominations, Hong Kong has had 2 nominations
lists at Wikipedia of submissions for Oscar consideration from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

jump to NEW movies, coming soon

browse Chinese Films on DVD at Amazon

See also selected films of:   Asia   •   Canada   •   France   •   Germany
India   •   Italy   •   Japan   •   Mexico   •   Russia   •   Spain

"The Slanted Screen" [indep 2007] 60-minute documentary that examines the portrayal of Asian men in film & television. Co-produced, written & directed by Jeff Adachi; featuring director Eric Byler, director Gene Cajayon, producer Terence Chang, playwright Frank Chin, comedian Bobby Lee, Jason Scott Lee, Will Yun Lee, casting director Heidi Levitt, Tzi Ma, actor Mako, Dustin Nguyen, Phillip Rhee, James Shigeta & Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Passion River color DVD [5/2007] for $22.49 available at IndieFlix: on DVD for $9.95, as 30-day webstream for $4.95 full credits at IMDb • official movie site

"Hollywood Chinese: The Chinese In American Feature Films" documentary [DeepFocus May 2008] A captivating look at cinema history and the Asian faces that have graced the silver screen, from the silent era to the current new wave of Asian American cinema. Written & directed by Arthur Dong video/DVD not yet available • full credits from IMDb • official movie site

"101 Essential Chinese Movies" [2010] by Simon Fowler Earnshaw Books 8x5¾ pb [11/2010] for $18.99 chapters/subject films: "And The Spring Comes" [2007]; "Assembly" [2007]; "At The Middle Age" [1982]; "Back To Back, Face To Face" [1994]; "Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress" [2002]; "The Banquet" [2006]; "Beijing Bicycle" [2001]; "The Big Road" [1934]; "Big Shot's Funeral" [2001]; "The Black Cannon Incident" [1985]; "Black Snow" [1989]; "Blind Mountain" [2007]; "Blind Shaft" [2003]; "Blood On Wolf Mountain" [1936]; "The Blue Kite" [1993]; "Bumming In Beijing: The Last Dreamers" [1990]; "Cell Phone" [2003]; "Cheng The Fruit Seller" aka "Laborer's Love" [1922 silent]; "Chung Kuo - Cina [1972]; "Crazy Stone" [2006]; "Crossroads" [1937]; "Crows and Sparrows" [1949]; "Devils On The Doorstep" [2000); "Early Spring In February" [1963]; "East Palace, West Palace" [1996]; "Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon" [1947]; "Farewell My Concubine" [1993] Oscar nom; "Five

Golden Flowers" [1959]; "For Fun" [1993]; "Forever Enthralled" [2008]; "The Founding of A Republic" [2009]; "Frozen" [1996]; "A Girl From Hunan" [1986]; "The Go Master" [2006]; "The Goddess" [1934]; "Good Morning, Beijing" [1991]; animated "Havoc In Heaven" aka "The Monkey King" [1965]; Jet Li's "Hero" [2002) Oscar nom; "Hibiscus Town" [1986]; "The Horse Thief" [1986]; "House of Flying Daggers" [2004]; "In The Heat of The Sun" [1995]; "The King of Masks" [1996]; "The Legend of Tianyun Mountain" [1980]; "Letter From An Unknown Woman" [2004]; "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" [1954]; "The Lin Family Shop" [1959]; "Lin Zexu" [1959]; "Little Toys" [1933]; "Long Live The Wife" [1947]; "Lost In Beijing" [2007]; "A Mongolian Tale" [1994]; "Mulan Joins The Army" [1939]; "My Memories of Old Beijing" [1983]; "Myriad of Lights" [1948]; "Naval Battle of 1894" [1962]; "New Year's Sacrifice" [1956]; "Old Well" [1987]; "One and Eight" [1983]; "An Orphan On The Streets" [1949]; "Pickpocket" [1997]; "Platform" [2000]; "Postmen In The Mountains" [1999]; "Princess Iron Fan" [1941]; "Raise The Red Lantern" [1991] Oscar nom; "Reconnaissance Across The Yangtze" [1954]; "Red Cherry" [1995]; "Red Cliff" [2008]; "The Red Detachment of Women" [1965]; "Red Heroine" [1928]; "Red Sorghum" [1987]; "Rickshaw Boy" [1982]; "Serfs" [1963]; "Shower" [1999]; "A Simple Noodle Story" [2010]; "Song At Midnight" [1937]; "Song of The Fishermen" [1934]; "Sons and Daughters of The Grassland" [1974]; "Sparkling Red Star" [1974]; "Spring In A Small Town" [1948]; "A Spring River Flows East" [1947]; "Spring Silkworms" [1933]; "Still Life" [2006]; "The Story of Qiu Ju" [1992]; "Street Angel" [1937]; "Suffocation" [2005]; "Summer Palace" [2006]; "The Swordsman In Double-Flag Town" [1991]; "Thirteen Princess Trees" [2006]; "This Life of Mine" [1950]; "To Live" [1994]; "The Trouble-Shooters" [1989]; "24 City" [2008]; "Two Stage Sisters" [1965]; "Tuya's Marriage" [2006]; "The White-Haired Girl" [1950]; "Woman Basketball Player No. 5" [1957]; "Woman Sesame-Oil Maker" [1993]; "A World Without Thieves" [2004]; "Yellow Earth" [1984]; "You and Me" [2005]; NOTE: Oscar-winner "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" [2000] and Oscar-nominees "Ju Dou" [1990], "The Wedding Banquet" [1993], and "Eat Drink Man Woman" [1994] are not included in this book

·                         ·

"The Battle of Dingjunshan" lost silent short [China 1905]

The first motion picture filmed in China by Chinese; a recording on 3 reels of a Peking opera performance of the Battle of Mount Dingjun, which is based on the battle as described in "Romance of The Three Kingdoms"; the only print was destroyed in a fire in the 1940s Directed by Ren Jingfeng; cinematography by Zhonglun Liu; starring Tan Xinpei {this film is considered lost} VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available bare credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia

"War of The Tongs" silent feature [1917]

"The Red Lantern" silent feature [Metro Pictures Corp. May 1919]

Following her avaricious Peking grandmother's death, the Eurasian Mahlee falls in love with Andrew Templeton, whose father runs the American mission, and she embraces Protestantism. Mahlee is introduced to Sir Philip Sackville and his daughter, Blanche, whom she discovers are her birth father and half-sister. Andrew falls in love with Blanche and shuns Mahlee because of her Chinese heritage. The dejected Mahlee collaborates with another Eurasian, Sam Wang, in bringing the Boxer Rebellion to Peking. During the Feast of the Red Lantern, Mahlee dresses as a celestial goddess and is paraded through the streets on a litter, blessing the Boxers and encouraging the people to join the rebellion. She then learns that the American mission is in danger and warns the occupants, but Sir Philip will not take her with them as they escape. Mahlee has lost the trust of the Boxers, and Wang dies protecting her. After the rebels are defeated by the Western Allies, Mahlee drinks poison and dies • Presented by Richard A. Rowland; supervising producer Maxwell Karger; co-written & directed by Albert Capellani; co-written by June Mathis, based on the famous novel by Edith Wherry; starring Alla Nazimova {dual role as Mahlee & Blanche}, Darrell Foss, Margaret McWade, Virginia Ross, Frank Currier, Winter Hall, Amy Veness, Noah Beery {as Dr. Sam Wang}, Harry Mann, Yukio Aoyama, Edward Connelly, Anna May Wong[1905-61] (film debut at age 14); the single existing print was restored in 1996 by the Royal Belgian Film Archive; YouTube version is tinted, with mostly piano music, some strings + recorded singing full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia Cinematex Belgian PAL import b&w DVD + book [2015] for $37.98  in PAL format only Cinematex PAL b&w DVD + book [8/00] for €46,99 via Amazon France PAL format - via Amazon.FR watch full movie [9/2019 upload; 1:22:13] online at YouTube

"The Red Lantern: Being The Story of The Goddess of The Red Lantern Light" [1911] by Edith Margaret Wherry {Muckleston} [1876-1961] author Wherry was born in the USA but raised in China by her missionary parents; she wrote such celebrated novels as "The Red Lantern" [1911], "The Wanderer On A Thousand Hills" [1917], and "The Jade Mountain" [1925], all set in China Wentworth Press 9¼x6 pb [2/2019] for $15.95 Palala Press 9¼x6 hardcover [5/2016] for $26.95 available as free online flip-book at Internet Archive etext available online at Library of Congress {as .PDF pages in sequence}

"Wild Rose" silent feature [Lianhua Film Co. / China 1930]
aka "Wild Flower" or "Ye cao xian hua" ('Wild Grass and Fresh Flowers')

Early pro-feminist romance; an orphaned flower girl in Shanghai finds love with a musician, but the couple are thwarted by the entrenched rules of Confucian tradition. Written & directed by Yu Sun; starring Jin Yan, Wang Renmei, Yan Gongshang, Zhang Zhizhi, Zheng Junli & Han Langen not available on Region 1 DVD • entry at Chinese Movie Database • full credits at IMDb

"Chinatown After Dark" [Action/Mayfair Pictures Oct 1931]

Filmed in Hollywood; the female head of a criminal gang in Chinatown wants a valuable jewel, and she will let nothing stand in her way • Produced by Ralph M. Like; directed by Stuart Paton; story & conti-nuity by Betty Burbridge; starring Carmel Myers, Rex Lease, Barbara Kent, Edmund Breese, Frank Mayo, Billy Gilbert, Michael Visaroff, Laska Winter, George Chesebro, Willie Fung, James B. Leong, Charles Murphy, Lloyd Whitlock • full credits at IMDb Alpha Video b&w DVD [3/2005] for $6.38 watch full movie [5/2021 upload; 55:54] online at YouTube watch full movie [8/2005 upload; 55:54] online at Internet Archive

"Shanghai Gesture" [1942]
Directed by Josef von Sternberg; starring Gene Tierney, Victor Mature, Ona Munson & Walter Huston
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000JN20

"The East Is Red (Dongfang Hong)" [Red China 1965]

Vast and solemn song and dance 'Pageant of The Revolution' glorifying the evolution of the People's Republic of China and spectacular progress towards Communist victory – pre-Cultural Revolution propaganda at its most lavish; film lauded by Chairman Mao Produced by Zhou Enlai; directed by Ping Wang DVD/Blu-ray not available • Amazon Instant Video [2017] HD rental $2.99, purchase HD $9.99 empty credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia Paredon Records soundtrack CD [5/2012] out of prodn/scarce watch full tedious movie [10/2013 upload; 2:02:37] free online at YouTube watch full tedious movie [8/2008 upload; 1:57:20] free online at Internet Archive

"A Touch of Zen" [1975]
Directed by King Hu; listed on Time Magazine's All-TIME 100 Movies (5/2005)

"The Silk Road" [China/Japan 1980]

An East-to-West exploration of the 'Silk Road' overland & sea trade routes connecting China, India and Europe, which lasted from 300 B.C.E. to 1400 C.E. The 12-episode Part I covers sea routes and the land routes as far as the Pamir Mountains in Central Asia. The years-later 18-episode Part II covers the rest of the route toward Ancient Rome. Narrated by Kôji Ishizaka, music by Kitarô (which made him a major star) Central Park Media color DVD set [7/2002] out of prodn/rare {high-priced) Central Park Media color VHS set [7/2002] 6 tapes - out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb "The Silk Road Part II" [China/Japan 1988?] VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • not listed on IMDb

soundtrack music for "Silk Road" composed by Kitaro [1980] "Silk Road, Volume 1" [1980] Domo Records soundtrack CD [10/96] 12 tracks - out of prodn/used New World Music soundtrack CD [7/2002] for $13.21 Pony Canyon soundtrack CD [9/2002] 12 tracks for $27.58 "Silk Road, Volume 2" [1980] New World Music soundtrack CD [7/2002] 10 tracks for $11.99 Pony Canyon soundtrack CD [9/2002] 10 tracks - out of prodn/used "Silk Road, Volume 3: Tun Huang" [1981] Polydor soundtrack CD [undated] out of prodn/scarce "Silk Road by Kitaro" DVD set [1992] Kuckuck Records soundtrack CD [11/92] 22 tracks on 2 disks - out of prodn/used "Silk Road Suite" [1992] performed by the London Symphony Orchestra Kuckuck Records soundtrack CD [11/92] 15 tracks - out of prodn/used Domo Records soundtrack CD [10/96] 15 tracks - out of prodn/used "Best of Silk Road" [2003] D.B.N. Records soundtrack CD [2/2006] 11 tracks for $12.39 Domo Records soundtrack CD [2/2003] 11 tracks for $15.98 "Silk Road Tenjiku" digitally remastered soundtrack album [2005] 3D Records soundtrack CD [1/2005] 8 tracks for $38.34

                       
"The Last Emperor" [Columbia 1987]
won 9 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director & Best Script Adaptation
full credits from IMDb

"Raise The Red Lantern" [1991]
Directed by Zhang Yimou

"Once Upon A Time In China" film series [1991-97]

"Once Upon A Time In China" [1991] /tt0103285/

"Once Upon A Time In China II" [1992] /tt0105839/

"Once Upon A Time In China III" [1993] /tt0108592/

"Once Upon A Time In China IV" [1993] /tt0107162/

"Once Upon A Time In China V" [1994] /tt0110073/

"Once Upon A Time In China" TV series [1996] /tt0962745/

"Once Upon A Time In China and America" [1997] /tt0120530/

	"Once Upon A Time In China" Trilogy Box Set [2003] includes the first three movies, each with subtitles Indies Asia/Zoom Region A/1 widescreen color Blu-ray [10/2009] out of prodn/used Sony Pictures widescreen color DVD set [8/2003] 2 disks for $18.31 subtitled Region 1 widescreen color DVD set [9/2002] 3 disks - out of prodn/used
	"Once Upon A Time In China: Next Chapters Collection" [2007] contains: "Jet LI: Shaolin Style"; "Once Upon A Time In China: Kickboxer"; "Once Upon A Time In China: Fist From Shaolin"; and "Once Upon A Time In China: In Sword We Trust" starring Jet Li in all four films; impossible to include details here since not found on IMDb Videoasia color DVD set [8/2007] 2 disks for $14.70

"The Wedding Banquet" aka "Xiyàn" [Taiwan 1993]
by Ang Lee; nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

"The Joy Luck Club" [Hollywood Pictures Sept 1993] /tt0107282/
Directed by Wayne Wang; co-written by Ronald Bass & Amy Tan, based on her hit novel

"Yin shi nan nu" [Taiwan 1994]
aka "Eat Drink Man Woman"
full credits from IMDb

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" [China 2000]
aka 'Wo hu cang long'
full credits from IMDb

"Zhou Yu de huo che (Zhou Yu's Train)"
[China Aug 2002, USA July 2004]

A ceramics artist in Sanming falls in love with a poet who lives in Chongyang, a town several hundred kilometers away; she visits him twice a week and during the train trips also meets a veterinary surgeon. Co-produced, co-written & directed by Zhou Sun; co-written by Mei Zhang, from a story by Bei Cun; starring Gong Li {dual role}, Tony Leung Ka-Fai & Honglei Sun Sony Pictures Home Ent. subtitled widescreen color DVD [11/2004] for $4.72 full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia watch full movie w/English subtitles [12/2016 upload; 1:28:58] online at YouTube based on a short story by avant-garde Chinese writer Bei Cun Better Link Press 8¼x5½ pb anthology [10/2010] for $22.93

Jet Li's "Hero (Yïngxióng)"
[China Oct 2002, Miramax USA Aug 2004]

A boy is raised to hate the King of Qin for the genocide of his people; but after he grows up as a master swordsman and is summoned to the palace, he realizes that the unification of China's seven warring states is more important than any tribal vendetta • Co-written, co-produced & directed by Zhang Yimou; starring Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Chen Daoming, Zhang Ziyi & Donnie Yen; film won four Golden Rooster Awards, seven Hong Kong Film Awards (of 14 noms), tied for Best Film at Hundred Flowers Awards, nominated for Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Miramax Lionsgate widescreen color Blu-ray [4/2011] for $7.99 Miramax widescreen color Blu-ray/DVD/digital combo [9/2009] 2 disks - out of prodn/used Miramax Lionsgate widescreen color Special Edition DVD [4/2011] for $8.72 Miramax widescreen color DVD [11/2004] for $5.69 full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia

"Global Chinese Cinema: The Culture and Politics of Hero" [2010] Edited by Gary D. Rawnsley & Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley Kindle Edition from Routledge [8/2011] for $39.96 {sic} Routledge 9x6 pb [8/2011] for $47.45 Routledge 9¼x6 hardcover [4/2010] for $159.60 {sic}

"War and Beauty (Kum Gee Yuk Yip)" TV series
[TVB Jade Aug-Oct 2004]

Intrigue, murder, and rebellion at the Forbidden City under rule of the Jiaqing Empoeror during the Qing Dynasty, circa 1800AD. • Starring Rachel Kan, Iva Law, Patricia Liu, Chai Ping Chan, Ga Yee Chan, Moses Chan, Rebecca Sau Chu Chan, Hung Lieh Chen, Maggie Ho Yee Cheung, Gigi Lai, Bowie Lam, Jade Leung, Hoi-Pang Lo, Charmaine Sheh, Sheren Tang The Complete TV Series: Tai Seng Ent. subtitled color DVD [2004] import/SOLD OUT! The Complete TV Series: all-regions color DVD w/Chinese subtitles [undated] 9 disks - out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • official series website • series entry at Wikipedia watch full episode #1/35 [9/2017 upload; 46:22] online at YouTube

"Beauty At War" sequel TV series
aka "War and Beauty 2" [TVB April 2013]

Two concubines of the Emperor battle for dominance of the current and future Forbidden City Palace • Exec producer Jonathan Chik; written by Chow Yuk-ming; starring Sheren Tang, Ada Choi, Christine Ng, Moses Chan, Kenny Wong, Eddie Kwan, Raymond Cho, Rachel Kan, Katy Kung, Wi Kar-hung, Vivien Yeo, Du Yange, Tracy Ip, Alice Chan, Stanley Cheung, Stephen Ho, Leung Ka-ki, Christine Kuo, Pako Au U.M.G. Video color DVD set [2013] 6 disks for $39.99 not listed at IMDb • official series website • series entry at Wikipedia watch 5/2013 official promo [1:24] online at YouTube

"Ye Yan: The Night Banquet" aka "The Banquet"
[Media Asia Aug 2006]

Loosely based on Shakespeare's "Hamlet": When the emperor dies suddenly, the beautiful queen agrees to marry his younger brother, the new emperor; the prince survives an attack and, believ- ing that his uncle murdered his father and ordered the assassination attempt, returns to the imperial castle for revenge; forces converge at an important banquet held on an inauspicious night. Directed by Feng Xiaogeng; starring Ziyi Zhang, Daniel Wu, Xun Zhou, You Ge, Jingwu Ma & Xiaoming Huang Mega Star widescreen color DVD [undated] 2 disks - out of prodn/used Bonzai Media widescreen subtitled color DVD [undated] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb • producer's official movie page

"Made In China" personal documentary [indep June 2007]

"A son sets out to understand his white American father's lost China past, embarking on a journey that becomes a profound exploration of what home really means" • Written & directed by film editor John Helde 70-minute color DVD available thru producer website for $24.95 credits at IMDb

"Sex and Chopsticks" aka 'Chin Ping Mei'
This softcore porn film was banned in China, but became a social media sensation in July 2013 when a repairman working on a gigantic Jumbotron
outside a train station mistakenly left his laptop connected while watching his DVD of the banned film. The adult video played for ten minutes before
his irate bosses called and told him to disconnect. Videos of the event now on YouTube are mostly out of focus on the Jumbotron.

"The Forbidden Legend: Sex and Chopsticks" [Hong Kong Sept 2008, banned in China] Based on a classic Chinese erotic novel "The Plum In The Golden Vase" [Ming Dynasty, circa 1600], and contrived as a very funny costume sexploitation movie. The son of a sex expert in XIIth century China travels the region bedding all sorts of beautiful women until he meets his true love (or is it 'true lust'?) • Produced & directed by Man Kei Chin; starring Wai Kin Lam, Winnie Leung, Hikaru Wakana, Kaera Uehara, Serina Hayakawa, Yui Morikawa, Sammuel Leung, Kon Chung Tam, Norman Chu & Chi Hung Ng Joy Sales all regions widescreen color DVD [2008] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb

"Sex & Chopsticks 2" aka 'Jin Ping Mei er ai De Nu Li' [Hong Kong March 2009] Simon Qing has become a sex addict and is immersed in intrigue that may get him killed. Co-produced & directed by Man Kei Chin; starring same cast as above, plus Kin-Yan Lee Joy Sales all regions widescreen color DVD [6/2009] from Thailand third party full credits at IMDb

"Hollywood Chinese: The Chinese in American Feature Films"
[DeepFocus Productions/WNET-TV13 NYC May 2009]

Episode 3 Season 23 of the "American Masters" documentary TV series [est. 1985] includes clips of portrayals of different characters, as examples of Hollywood bias • Produced, written & directed by Arthur Dong; featuring Turhan Bey, Joan Chen, Tsai Chin, James Hong, David Henry Hwang, director Ang Lee, Christopher Lee, Justin Lin, Luise Rainer, James Shigeta, author Amy Tan, Wayne Wang, BD Wong; with archive footage of: Patrick Adiarte, Philip Ahn, Nils Asther, Ingrid Bergman, Daniel Bernhardt, Bryan Brown, Jackie Chan, Rosalind Chao, Glenn Corbett, Marlene Dietrich {as Shanghai Lily}, Roger Ebert, Benson Fong, Willie

Fung, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ross Hagen, Juanita Hai, Juanita Hall, Jean Harlow, Woody Harrelson, Rutger Hauer, Katharine Hepburn, William Holden, Lauren Holly, James Wong Howe, Walter Huston, Jeremy Irons, Boris Karloff {as Fu Manchu}, Diane Keaton, Val Kilmer, Nancy Kwan, Bruce Lee, Jason Scott Lee, Gong Li, Jet Li, Lucy Liu, John Lone, Bessie Loo, Richard Loo, Peter Lorre, 'Ducky' Louie, Myrna Loy, Lisa Lu, Sterling Macer Jr., Steve Martin, Charles Middleton, Wood Moy, Paul Muni, Jack Nicholson, Warner Oland {as Charlie Chan}, Stephen Peck, Winona Ryder, Steven Seagal, Martin Short, James Stewart, Sidney Toler {as Charlie Chan}, Miyoshi Umeki, Peter Wang, Gedde Watanabe, Ming-Na Wen, Anna May Wong, Marian Wong, John Woo, Chow Yun-Fat full credits at IMDb • official movie homepage watch official trailer [7/2015 upload; 2:17] online at YouTube DeepFocus Prodns home-use DVD [2014] 2 disks for $18.00

"Made In China" [Beachwood/I.F.C. 2010]

Filmed in Woodville, Texas & Shanghai, China; a young inventor of gag gifts and toys finds it increasingly difficult to get his products made in America, so he decides to go to China, where he quickly gets lost. Co-produced, co-written & directed by Judith Krant; co-produced & co-written by & co-starring Dan Sumpter; starring Jackson Kuehn, Bronwyn Cornelius, Deng Juan, Syna Zhang & Matthew McConaughey VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • credits at IMDb watch 9/2009 official trailer [2:24] at YouTube

"Shanghai" [China June 2010, USA 2013?]  

China cancelled permits, so filming moved to Thailand; an American arrives in Shanghai, the 'Paris of The East', in late 1941 to find that his friend has been murdered; seeking the killer, he becomes involved with a drug-addicted Chinese beauty, Chinese & Japanese officials, and the local mob boss. Co-produced by Mike Medavoy and Bob & Harvey Weinstein; directed by Mikael Håfström; written by Hossein Amini; starring John Cusack, Li Gong, Yun-Fat Chow, Ken Watanabe, David Morse, Franka Potente, Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Rinko Kikuchi C.N. Ent. widescreen color Region A Blu-ray [6/2011] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • Japanese official movie site {with trailer} • movie entry at Wikipedia

"When China Met Africa" TV documentary [Speakit Films June 2010]

Filmmakers documented Chinese businessmen in Zambia, one managing his fourth farm and another building a road. Written, produced & directed by Marc & Nick Francis Speakit Media color DVD [5/2012] for $23.99 full credits at IMDb • official movie site • watch 6/2013 official trailer [1:53] at Vimeo

"Ai Weiwei: Without Fear or Favour" [BBC-2 aired Nov 2010]

51-minute episode of BBC-2's "Imagine" program, broadcast while artist Ai Weiwei was in jail in China. Produced & directed by Matthew Springford; DVD/Blu-ray not available credits at IMDb • B.B.C. official movie page watch [50:58] free online at YouTube

"Snow Flower and The Secret Fan"
[Fox Searchlight July 2011]

	Two girls develop a secret code during a lifelong friendship in order to communicate within the harsh strictures placed on women in XIXth Century China. Directed by Wayne Wang; starring Gianna Jun, Li Bingbing, Vivian Wu, Wu Jiang, Russell Wong, Coco Chiang, Qing Yun Hu, Archie Kao & Hugh Jackman DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia
	based on the novel by Lisa See [2005 bestseller] Random House Trade movie tie-in pb [5/2011] for $9.00 Random House Trade pb [2/2006] for $9.00 Random House deckle-edge hardcover [6/2005] for $16.29 book entry at Wikipedia

"Detective Dee and The Mystery of The Phantom Flame"
[Hong Kong Sept 2010, Indomina USA Sept 2011]

"Inspired by the incredible true story of one of the Tang Dynasty's most celebrated officials." Wu Zetian is the most powerful woman in China, and about to be crowned Empress of China, but a series of bizarre murders at the Imperial Palace threatens the future of her dynasty. She implores formerly-exiled detective Dee Renjie to solve the crimes before her coronation, and appoints him Chief Judge of the Empire. Directed by Tsui Hark & stunt director Sammo Hung; starring Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Li Bing Bing, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Chao Deng, Richard Ng, Teddy Robin Kwan, Lu Yao & Jinshan Liu; won six Hong Kong Film Awards Indomina widescreen color Blu-ray [12/2011] for $19.93 Indomina widescreen color DVD [12/2011] for $14.93 full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site • official trailer

see also the Judge Dee Mysteries Page at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore

"Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry" documentary film
[Sundance Selects USA July 2012]

English-language and Mandarin with subtitles; interviews and gallery showings and lots of Chinese police on film. Written & directed by Alison Klayman; won Special Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival M.P.I. Home Video widescreen color Blu-ray [12/2012] for $24.99 M.P.I. Home Video widescreen color DVD [12/2012] for $12.99 full credits at IMDb • official movie site watch 6/2012 trailer [3:51] at IMDb

Mao Mao’s “Here, Then” drama about rootless youngsters in China won Best International Film Award
at Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2012 • /tt2244098/

"Lost In Thailand" [Feb 2013] /tt2459022/
Film was first-ever to take in China box-office of more than 1 billion yuan ($160.3 million); record was broken again two months later.

"Unmade In China" [indep April 2013]

American filmmaker Gil Kofman is asked to make a thriller feature film for hire in Xiamen, China; he discovers that the rules are arbitrary, the contract is worthless, his actors are replaced without his consent - making films in China is a nightmare. Co-written & co-directed by Tanner King Barklow & Gil Kofman; won Grand Jury Award at Edmonton International F/F, winner Best Documentary at Sydney Underground F/F DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • official movie site watch 4/2012 official trailer [2:33] at Vimeo

"Free China: The Courage To Believe"
[NTD-TV May 2013]

Timely documentary that highlights the issues of unfair trade practices with the West, organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, and widespread forced/slave labor; film also highlights how new internet technologies are helping bring freedom to 1.3 billion people in China and other repressive regimes throughout the world. Co-produced & directed by Michael Perlman; theme song sung by Q'orianka Kilcher; starring Jennifer Zeng & Charles Lee DVD/Blu-ray not yet available credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia watch 5/2013 official trailer [2:44] at YouTube

"Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons" []
Stephen Chow Sing-chi’s film broke the recent China box-office record at more than 1 billion yuan ($160.3 million), the second Chinese feature film to do so.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2" [The Weinstein Company 2014?]
Announced 2/2013: Shooting is set to start in May; script adapted by John Fusco from "Silver Vase, Iron Knight", the fifth book in
Wang Du Lu’s 'Crane-Iron' Pentalogy; possibly to be directed by Ronny Yu • latest info at IMDb

"The Last Empress" [China 2014?]
Announced 9/2012: Seven Stars Film Studios is making a Chinese-U.S. joint production set at the end of the Manchu Qing Dynasty;
Chinese actress Gong Li will portray Empress Cixi [1895-1908] during her 47-year reign; other historical figures include Emperor Guang Xu
and Imperial advisor American Costa • latest info at IMDb

"The Mermaid (Mei Ren Yu)" [China Feb 2016]

As of November 2016, this is the highest-grossing movie in China; it is also the first film to gross CN¥3 billion (equivalent to roughly $431 million in U.S. dollars). • A colony of mermaids is threatened by land development, so they send Shan to stop it, but then she falls in love with the main developer . . . • Co-produced, co-written & directed by Stephen Chow; starring Yun Lin, Chao Deng, Show Lo, Yuqi Zhang, Hark Tsui, Zhang Wen, Kris Wu, Sheung-ching Lee, Zhengyu Lu, Chi Ling Chiu, Mei'e Zhang, Linah Matsuoka, Barbie Liu, Zhen Zhen Xu, Bai-Ke, Lianshun Kong, Wilson Chin, Tze Chung Lam, Jifeng Zheng, Shu Zhen Fan, Ivan Kotik, Pierre Bourdaud, Neng Yang, Shuang Gao, Fuyi Liu, Mingze Liu, Kai Man Tin, Bo Xiaolong; nominated for 8 Hong Kong Film Awards Sony Pictures Home Ent. widescreen color Blu-ray w/subtitle options [7/2016] for $20.99 Sony Pictures Home Ent. widescreen color DVD w/subtitle options [7/2016] for $14.96 full credits at IMDb • Japanese official movie website • movie entry at Wikipedia watch official Japanese?/Chinese? trailer [1:51] online at YouTube

"Old Stone (Lao Shi)" [Zeitgeist Films Nov 2016]

A thriller that evokes Franz Kafka and "The Trial"; a taxi driver in Hong Kong collides with an uninsured motor-cyclist; that he drives the severely-injured other man to the hospital opens a nightmare of bureaucracy that threatens his business and his personal future; in Mandarin with English subtitles • Written & directed by Johnny Ma; starring Gang Chen, Nai An, Hongwei Wang, Zebin Zhang, Xue'er Luo; film won several festival awards in 2016 DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia watch 8/2016 official USA trailer [1:26] at YouTube

"The Great Wall" [China Dec 2016?, Universal/Legendary USA Feb 2017?]

"1700 years to build; 5500 miles long; what were they trying to keep out?" the Chinese epic film is directed by Zhang Yimou and stars Matt Damon, Andy Lau, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Jing Tian, Luhan, Zhang Hanyu DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia watch 7/2016 official trailer [1:26] at YouTube

"The China Hustle" documentary
[2929 Prodns/Magnolia Pictures March 2018?]

"There are no good guys in this story" • An unsettling and eye-opening Wall Street horror story about fake Chinese companies, the American stock market, and the opportunistic greed behind the biggest heist you've never heard of • 82-minute docufilm co-produced by Alex Gibney & Frank Marshall; written & directed by Jed Rothstein; featuring host/guide Dan David, Matthew Wiechert, Carson Block, James Chanos, Soren Aandahl, Wesley Clark DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • official movie site watch 12/2017 official trailer [2:42] at YouTube

"The Farewell" [A24 Films July 2019]

Tagline: "Based on an actual lie" • An extended Chinese-American family learns that grandmother Nai Nai is dying so they concoct excuses to gather the family at her home in Changchun, China but with strict orders not to tell her . . . Written & directed by Lulu Wang; starring Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Gil Perez-Abraham, Jim Liu, Ines Laimins, Shuzhen Zhao, Aoi Mizuhara, Han Chen, Yongbo Jiang, X Mayo, Hong Lu DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia watch 5/2019 official trailer [2:30] at YouTube

here on the Cinema of China (Mainland, ROC/Taiwan, Hong Kong) Pages
at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
back on page 1: top of page • filmmakers of China • actors & others of China • books on Chinese cinema • links
here on page 2: top of page • selected films of China, A-Z

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