In celebration of the Chinese lunar New Year on Feb. 10, Shangri-La Plaza will be holding the Spring Film Festival Feb. 1-10. Six Chinese films with English subtitles that promote Chinese culture are included on the lineup.
Sidney Christopher T. Bata, director of Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies at Ateneo de Manila University, chose the films, with the approval of the Chinese embassy.
The selection, he said, focuses on wholesome themes, “with some rom-com [romantic comedy] and a little kung fu.”
“The Spring Film Festival has been ongoing for seven years, and most of the moviegoers are students and families,” he said. “We chose films that are relatable to the Filipino audience.”
“Piano in a Factory” was screened during the press launch. It tells the story of a father who is struggling through divorce and fighting for the custody of his daughter, while pursuing a music career.
Opening the festival on Feb. 1 is “2 Become 1,” a movie that focuses on breast cancer. It is about the changes in the life of advertising executive Bingo Leung after discovering a lump in her breast.
The Zhang Ziyi film “Jasmine Women” is expected to draw a big crowd. It is a drama that focuses on how a family “overcomes a tragic history, as each daughter repeats the mistakes of the mother.” It is directed by Hou Young.
“Golden Times” is about the duo of teacher Fang and police officer Sun Dayang who put up a home for children left by parents to work in other cities.
Other films are “Storm Warriors,” a Hong Kong fantasy action film, and “Space Dream,” about Zhang Tiancong, a Chinese astronaut.
The movies will be shown for free, but moviegoers must line up for tickets at the cinema booth before the screening.
Related events
The book, “Chinese Painting in the Philippines,” will be launched during the film festival. It is a 180-page art book featuring the works of Chinese-Filipino artists. “The 2013 Spring Festival Chinese Painting Exhibit” and “On the Wings of Culture Chinese Photo Exhibit” will also be mounted at Edsa Shang.
Call tel. 6337851 loc. 113; visit www.shangrila-plaza.com; add shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage on Facebook.
