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| Top Rated News |
Telegraph: Dalian oil leak caught Chinese gov "woefully unprepared" |
While the Dalian Port oil leak has now basically been cleared, the efforts revealed just how woefully unprepared China was for an environmental accident of this scale, according to Tim Collard at the Telegraph. Local fishermen cleaned up the sludge without any protections (face masks or even rubber gloves) and one relief worker has already been drowned under the oil crust. The good news: The fact that it was reported in local media at all, showing that "China is moving on from the times when an environmental disaster was purely the business of the State Council Information Office and their media-manipulation apparatus."
 
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Photo of the Day: New paint |
Photo by kika_bm
More photos on the Shanghaiist Contribute page. To see your photos on our Contribute page, use Flickr and tag your photos “shanghaiist”. Or you can email your photos to photos@shanghaiist.com and they will automatically appear on our site (and here).
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Video: Fat in China on PBS |
This came out last week and I'm sorry to say that, a little bloated from all the "people in China are getting fat" news, I didn't watch it... until now. It's a shame - while a little wordy, it's a great nine-minute take on the country's obesity epidemic. Though they focus on China in general, almost all the scenes are shot in Shanghai - there's even an interview with our friend, Paul French, which references his new book Fat China.
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Shanghai Pride coming later this year |
Aw nards. Following the successful run of Shanghai's first ever gay pride week last year, which we documented quite proudly, everybody was looking forward to another summer of LGBT fun/activism. Alas, it is not to be. According to City Weekend's LGBeat, Shanghai Pride will not happen until later this year. Maybe. Update: Someone on the Shanghai Pride inside has now told us that the event will be in September/October... which is probably less unbearably humid weather to host it in anyway. So phew - late date does not mean death knell.
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The Gaokao is here! And we've got the National Essay questions translated |
 Photo of parents waiting for their kids to finish the Gaokao from KDS From today (June 7) to the 9th, Shanghai's poor high school students are and will be taking the gaokao - the penultimate test that decides your future in this country for ever and ever, or something.
In Shanghai alone, 66,000 students are expected to head to six specific testing districts these next three days. To make it easier for them, Shanghai has promised to provide better and quieter transportation options as well as offer medicines (against heatstroke) and stationary at many subway stations.
Anyway, one huge part of the exam - the National Essay - has already passed, and already Chinese news sources are all abuzz with what the essay questions were. Here's the national ones from CRI:
College Entrance Essay: National I
Comic essay. On the table there are many cats with fish and just one cat with a mouse. The other cats asked "When there's fish, you'll still eat a mouse?"
漫画作文。餐桌，许多猫吃鱼，就一只猫捉老鼠，别的猫说：“有鱼吃还捉老鼠？
College Entrance Essay: National II
"Path/Route": Please using "path/route" as a subject and write an essay.
Requirements: 1) Choose your own point of view, your own concept. 2) Other than poetry, the style is open-ended. 3) Less than 800 words.
请以“路径”为题目，写一篇文章。
要求：1、自选'度，自行立意。2、除诗歌外，文体不限。3、不少于800字。
Yeah! It sounds as confusing to me too. Anyone who's actually Chinese/taken the gaokao know what this is all about?
They also released the Shanghai City-specific question:
Using the following, think of a point of view and with the proposed topic, write an essay that is less than 800 words (do not write poetry).
When Danes go fishing they bring a ruler, when they've cauhgt a fish they will often measure it and, if the fish isn't big enough, they will let it go. They say: "Isn't it better to let a little fish grow up?" 2000 years ago, Mencius said "Many nets won't enter pools and ponds, fish and turtles won't become eaten." Meaning, if you don't use nets with small holes to catch fish, there will be more fish.
Really, the logic in those words can be applied to very many parts of our current way of life.
根据以下材料，选取一个'度，自拟题目，写一篇不少于800字的文章（不要写成诗歌）。
丹麦人去'鱼会随身带一把尺子，'到鱼，常常用尺子量一量，将不够尺寸的小鱼放回河里。他们说：“让小鱼长大不更好吗？”两千多年前，我国孟子曾说过“数罟不入洿池，鱼鳖不可胜食也。”意思是，不要用细密的渔网在池塘里捕捞小鱼，这样才会有更多的鱼。
实际上，其中的道理也贯穿在我们现实生活中的许多方面。
What do you think your essays would be on those topics?
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Pencil This In June 7-11 |
 Playboy is turning 50 this week! Who hoo! Time to break out the champagne at the premier club in town - M1NT! I bunnies are not your scene, check out Books and Brushes which will benefit underprivileged Chinese kids or the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Celebrating bunnies or kids? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Monday The New Gastronomy Fiesta: Oscar Calleja & Toshiro Konishi @Gran Melia Hotel , BEAN Networking Night @ Ginger Indochine
Spain comes to Shanghai with some of its finest chefs in tow. Their Gastronomy Fiesta starts with Oscar Oscar Calleja, of Cantabria's Annua, paired with Toshiro Konishi, of Lima, Peru's Toshi on June 7. Menus are priced at 528rmb (S), 658rmb (M), and 788rmb (L) and reservations are suggested (Call 3867 9777). See the full schedule on Smart Shanghai.
2/F, Gran Melia Shanghai, 1288 Lujiazui Huan Lu, near Dongyuan Lu, 陆家嘴环路1288号2楼，近东园路
Start the work week with this casual evening of drinks and conversations. It's a chance to connect with Shanghai's diverse mix of young professionals and get the latest news on upcoming volunteer and social events happening around the city. No entry fee.
7pm-10pm, Ginger Indochine 1/F, 30 Sinan Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, 思南路30号1楼
Tuesday Royal Asiatic Society Lecture @ Mesa & Manifesto, Lesinshanghai @ Cotton's Anting
William Hanbury-Tenison will be reading from the letters of Sir Thomas Hanbury K.C.V.O. (1832-1907). Thomas Hanbury played a vital role in the development of the British Concession in Shanghai. He first arrived here at 21 in September 1853 and only returned to Britain ten years later, having amassed an impressive fortune. He was later knighted by the Queen in 1901. His distant cousin William Hanbury-Tenison will read the letters Hanbury wrote home to his father and brother from Shanghai. Entrance: RMB 30 (RAS members) and RMB 80 (non-members) RSVP to RAS Enquiry desk: enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
7pm - 8pm, Mesa & Manifesto 748 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu 巨鹿路748号， 近富民路
Lesinshanghai, a group for lesbian, gay and bisexual women to meet up, hosts its monthly drink night. Every second Tuesday, get to know new and old women at this friendly, inclusive event.
7:30pm - 9:30pm, Cotton's, 132 Anting Lu near Jianguo Xi Lu 安亭路132号 近建国西路
Wednesday Spring Soccer League, Books and Brushes @ Not Me
Whip out those booties for some ball play with the ASAS soccer league. It's a seven to seven format and there are both co-ed and single-sex leagues. So lace up your cleats and hit the grass. Family BBQ during the finals too! Contact Tom Zheng
@ 139-1731-6770 or email services@asas.com.cn. www.asas.com.cn
Book and Brushes is an event to raise money for workshops that benefit underprivileged Chinese kids. Art+ will be auctioning off works from their collection and money from the event will also be donated to the Library Project which helps build libraries in rural China. 30 RMB cover charge.
7.30pm-10.30pm, 21 Dongping Lu,French Concessionby Hengshan Lu东平路21号近衡山路
Thursday Playboy’s 50th Birthday @ M1NT, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra @ Shanghai Oriental Art Center
June 10th is Playboy’s 50th birthday and the team at M1NT is throwing a party to celebrate. On the decks will be DJ of the Year 2007, DJ Sam Young. Come in your best bunny suit. 100rmb for non-members.
10pm, 24/F, 318 Fuzhou Lu, near Shandong Lu福州路318号, 近山东路
The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra along with award wining conductor Daniel Harding is coming to Shanghai for an evening of world-class music. Their program includes Bartok's "Violin Concerto No. 2" and Mahler's "Symphony No. 1". I would still wear my bunny suit. Tickets can be found here.
7.30pm, 425 Dingxiang Lu, near Century Blvd, 上海东方艺术中心, 浦东新区丁香路425号
Friday DJ Han @ Sin, 2010 FIFA World Cup Screening & Live Boxing @ Zheji Sports Gym & Lounge
DJ Han hailing from Korea is one youngest DJs in charge of the game right now, his signature mixes and music selection has been sort after by some of the leading clubs around. Be sure to checkout this emerging star as he rocks a thrilling 2 hours set packed with Hip Hop, R&B, House, Soul, Funk and Mash Ups beats that will surely leave you wanting more. (No cover)
9pm, Sin 23/F, Want Want Plaza, 211 Shimen Yi Lu 石门一路211号， 旺旺大厦23楼
HD Plasma TVs, surround sound system, live boxing, cheerleaders, music bands and a room full of soccer fans. What more could you want? More details at http://www.shzheji.com/ 13761331683 (English) 02151077397 (Chinese)
or email at visino@in-kungfu.com
Zheji Sports Gym & Lounge, 217 North Nujiang Rd. (near Daduhe Rd.), Level B1 inside Yafan Fashion Business Hotel; '江北路 217号 (近大渡河路) 亚繁风尚商务'店 B1层
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iPhone 4G already faked in China |
      Long before the iPad was released, Chinese shanzhai manufacturers had already come out with their own version. So I guess it's not surprising that, way before the iPhone 4G's launch date has even been announced, some enterprising company would have made their own fake 4G.
Says Mac Rumors:
This one's officially called "GPS-PHONE" accoding to PCOnline.com.cn and offers a number of features including a front facing camera, a TV antenna, mini USB interface, and camera flash.
The images are from Nanfang Web (南方网) .
[h/t CNNGo]
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0093 music rehearsal space now reopened |
Good news for all local bands (or people who want to form a local band): seminal rehearsal space 0093 is up and running now, according to Kungfuology's Jake Newby. Says Jake, 0093 is now outfitted with eight large practice rooms and is "a few blocks down the road from their original space on Lingling Lu. The new address is 1228 Quxi Lu, near Dapuqiao Lu and the nearest metro is Luban Lu on line 4."
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Foxconn workers treated to double wages, mandatory day off |
 Photo from Xinhua. It took over a dozen suicide attempts for them to realize conditions at Foxconn were maybe somewhat inhuman, but it looks like the company's at least willing to change its ways now. On the table for Foxconn workers: a wage increase that doubles their salaries and a new rule instating that they take at least one day off a week.
According to the New York Times, the company said in a statement on Sunday that the "wage increase has been instituted to safeguard the dignity of workers."
In announcing the wage increase late Sunday, the company, a unit of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, said that within three months the basic salaries of many of its 800,000 workers in China could reach nearly $300 a month, about double what many were earning a few weeks ago...
As recently as two weeks ago, the basic salary for many workers at Foxconn’s huge factories in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen was about 900 renminbi a month, or about $132 a month.
Last week, Foxconn said that salary would immediately rise to $176 a month. And now, the company says that after a three-month trial period, workers will be paid $294 a month.
With the wage increase comes several other initiatives to ensure a better quality of life for employees.
Some of the ones listed by Xinhua (Chinese) had been previously outlined in the employee non-suicide pact - namely the establishment of an Employee Care Center and telephone hotlines.
New initiatives include:
A daily 5pm meeting session, chaired by the General Manager and department heads of everything from human resources to security, to discuss and work through problems. Employee mental health training and the establishment of a psychological counseling room, a "room for venting" and the showing of "inspirational movies."An audit system for protecting employees from taking too much overtime work and a mandatory day off (written as "at least one day off") each week.
All sound much more practicalthan the first round of ideas Foxconn came up with: monks and music. But as some analysts have already noted, the new worker health initiative and wage increase's "outcome is simple: manufacturers either improve productivity, shrink their margins or pass the costs on to consumers."
I may be pessimistic, but I doubt anything could improve productivity on the assembly line past the original pre-suicide conditions Foxconn had in place. That means either shrinking margins for Foxconn/the companies they make stuff for or higher priced iPods for us. And while, when it comes to something as frivolous as the iPod, we're probably willing to pay a good $58 or so more (especially now that we've gotten an uncomfortable glimpse at why they're cheap), what if the price of everything else Foxconn makes goes up too? What if, thanks to more laborers fighting for their rights, labor finally becomes uncheap in China?
Would the West be able to deal with that? Or will slews of companies just move their factories to the next unregulated, eager-for-employment country and let history repeat itself.
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All your fake Hello Kitty phone dreams have come true |
 If a Hello Kitty phone cover just isn't enough (and how could it be?), here's a new phone that will bring you closer than ever to the salutational cat. That's right. A Hello Kitty that pops open into a cell phone. It's practically a transformer.
The website insists that not only is Hello Kitty "really cute," she also features an impressive list of specs: dual card dual standby, Quadband GSM support, 1GB memory card, FM radio, Bluetooth and JAVA2.0. And her flower's a camera, guys!
After extensive research (www.hellokittyphones.com) (yup, that's real), it looks like this is the first Hello Kitty phone of its kind, so you better move fast if you want to snag one of these bad boys.
And in case you didn't know, Kitty isn't the first unnecessary innovative cell phone we've featured. Our past three favorites include:
Winnie the Pooh - An endearing tribute to Pooh's head, the camera's hidden in his nose. *wink*Barbie - This one is actually not shaped like any part of Barbie, but resembles her compact. It has a mirror, but doesn't appear to be an actual phone.Zen Mobile - Spiritual enlightenment comes in the form of a clamshell cell phone adorned with jade and auspicious numbers. Richard Gere has five.
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The Running of the Expo Fast Pass Hunters |
At least I hope that's what they call this video. My mom, who's been visiting the Expo every couple of weeks, and who most recently went before the doors had opened, first alerted me to this phenomena.
"It's hilarious," she said. "You should definitely record it if you can. All these people rushing from the door to their favorite pavilions in order to secure a fast pass for the rest of the day."
"Though," she added after a thought. "I suppose next time I should try too - I really wanted to see the Taiwan Pavilion without standing around for five hours."
Well mom, in case you or anyone else who reads this blog needs a primer on how to get reservations for the most popular pavilions, CN Reviews has posted a great guide up. Taiwan Pavilion reservations don't start til 9:30am, ample time for you to stroll from the door.
Video first appeared on CNNGo
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North Koreans actively trying to screw themselves over, kill 3 Chinese |
Oh snap! Four Chinese people have been shot at the North Korean border despite being on Chinese territory. Three are dead. China has made a formal complaint to North Korea, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said. Good job, Pyongyang, for pissing off your only friend in the world - especially when they were taking international flak for not siding with South Korea against you.
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Introducing Tiger Dog |
 Says the Daily Mail, "The Chinese are always quick to embrace bizarre trends, and it is not unusual for owners to take their dogs to grooming parlours where they are not only given a shampoo and trim, but a multi-coloured dye job as well."
Well, I don't know if it's just "The Chinese" who've embraced this "bizarre trend" - it's funny that they don't remember their own article on this happening in the U.S. as well - but apparently a trend it is!
This particular tiger dog, actually a Golden Retriever in tiger dye, was exhibited in Zhengzhou City alongside four buddies made to look like pandas (we've reported on panda dogs before). Says Nanchang Evening News, many dogs are dyed to resemble the animals they may bear a resemblance to: Chow Chows tend to get the panda treatment, since they have round faces and burly bodies. Pomeranians will be made to look like squirrels since they're small and cute. And a popular choice for poodles and huskies are... donkey?
A white Chow Chow's dye job into a panda will normally cost around 300RMB and last for three months. If it's not a naturally white dog though, dyes could cost up to 3000RMB. I don't know... is this better or worse than buying Tibetan Mastiffs just for the heck of it?
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45% of China to have internet by 2015 |
Currently, internet penetration in China is at 28.9% - which puts the amount of internet users at 384 million. But if the Information Office of the State Council has its way, a full 45% of the people will get internet in the next five years. Of course, the internet they'll be getting, while it purports to guarantee "citizen's freedom of speech," will not allow them to "infringe upon state, social and collective interests or the legitimate freedom and rights of other citizens." Whatever that means.
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Gaokao National Essay questions explained! |
 Yesterday we posted the essay questions for the national college entrance exam and found them a bit perplexing, to say the least. Students were given a cartoon of three cats eating fish, scolding a fourth cat, "Such times we live in! Why would you catch mice when we have fish?"
We raised some eyebrows as to what it all means, but teachers and experts across the country said that the three cats' attitude reflects China's transitional period. Students shouldn't focus on the lazy cats, that's "no way to get high scores," said professor Yu Dan of Beijing Normal University. Instead, they should recognize that the fish "represents reaping without sowing, or various kinds of desires." (That clears things up.)
As for the Shanghai essay questions, about Danes going fishing with a ruler and ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius using a mesh grid to catch smaller fish, the overarching topic was environmental protection. Again, though, the underlying theme seems to be China's transition in the world today, including its measures towards ecological preservation, and how students are reacting to it.
Here's hoping they understood the questions better than we did.
Image via China Daily
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Changchun is first Chinese city to become GFWed |
 Maybe this giant sculpture in a Changchun amusement park got it GFWed? [From Jaunted] Yesterday morning, Changchun (长春) became a sensitive word on QQ. The best thing about it: Not only is 长春 a city - making it "The first Chinese city to ever become a sensitive word in China" - it's also the name of the current CPC Propaganda Chief.
While things are back to normal now, this is not the first time Changchun got on the list of banned words on QQ. Back in April, posts were already going up saying that "Changchun" was no longer kosher. Changchun (the city) Evening News called QQ up to ask them about it, and were told in reply:
"During a test, "Changchun" became a sensitive word, and there was nothing we could do to fix it. Sensitive word filters come down to us from the national level, Tencent customer service personnel do not have the authority to understand why [certain words have been blocked]. We recommend you change your name."
When the newspaper called Tencent yesterday to ask why their city's name had been blocked again, Tencent responded that the state provides a uniform filter system that can not be arbitrarily changed. There are no specific provisions or criteria for what becomes a sensitive word, so they have no idea why "Changchun" been re-added to the sensitive word list.
In March, netizens began reporting that certain search terms like "carrot" and "temperature" were not loading on Google - though they still worked on Baidu. Soon, they realized that those words shared characters with the names of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.
Maybe something similar is happening. After all, Li Changchun does hold the reigns to the propaganda department of the CPC. Maybe every now and then, he decides that people on chat platforms ought not to search his name - the fact that he shares it with a city of 3.58 million be damned!
[h/t to @isaac]
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Average Shanghai commute takes 47 minutes |
The average Shanghai commuter takes 47 minutes to get to work, China's Academy of Sciences discovered. Its survey considered population distribution, distance and public transit, and the final report concluded that the long commute is most likely due to the dense population in big cities. Given the city's notorious traffic jams, the news doesn't come as that much of a shock, but Shanghai only came third in the survey of 50 Chinese cities. Beijing took the number one spot with 52 minutes, and Guangzhou came second with 48. Shanghai beat out Shenzhen for third place by one minute.
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Video: The Danish Pavilion is adorable |
If you liked the UK Pavilion's beautiful timelapse by Shanghai Expo Timelapse Machine, here's one from two weeks ago about the The Danish Pavilion. It's had less than 70 views on Vimeo, a shame for such beautiful work! In case you'd only heard from us news about Hans Anderson's Little Mermaid, this is the next best thing to seeing it for yourself.
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Farmer protects his land with homemade cannon, bombs |
      Some farmers you just don't f@&% with. Yang Youde in Central Hubei area has been protecting the land he had leased until 2019 from developer thugs. His weapons of choice: a system of homemade heavy artillery - cannons and petrol bombs.
I first saw the pictures on China Daily, but there was barely any explanation as to why a farmer from around Wuhan would feel the need to... take out the big guns, so to speak.
Luckily, it looks like ESWN already translated the story:
Yang Youde is a farmer who had contracted to rent 25 mu of land. The lease was set to continue until 2019. Over the years, Yang has been raising fish, cattle, cotton, melons and fruits on the land.
Last year, Yang Youde learned that his land had been requisitioned. Since the compensation terms for breaking the contract had not been settled, he has refused to move out.
"The evictors said many times that they will move on me." Earlier this year, Yang took measures to protect himself. He took a hand-truck and removed the front. Then he put in a set of rockets for use as an artillery battery.
The first wave of attackers was 30 people, which he kept at bay until his rockets ran out. Then they came and beat him up - though, stupidly on their part, they didn't bulldoze his house right then and there. Learning from his mistakes, he upgraded his defense and scared off the second wave of 100 attackers until police could come to drive them away.
Yang Youde has asserted that he's not a "nail house" owner, but rather someone who's just fighting on the right side of the law. While nail house owners are trying to get higher prices from real estate developers, he just wants them to honor his contract.
Funny how he needs firepower to get that to happen.
Other inventive farmers
Farmer makes the craziest things
Chinese farmer invents walking, talking, rickshaw-pulling robot
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Video: The UK Pavilion is gorgeous |
Every day I wake up and find that Vimeo is here is a good day. Here's a video put up by the Shanghai Expo Timelapse Machine about the stunning The UK Pavilion, made all the more stunning by the music and thoughtfully curated scenes.
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Photos: Expo sleepers rendered artistically |
       Last week we were alerted to the phenomena of nappers at the Expo and posted some of the ones that had been passed around the internet. Now photog and Shanghaiist reader Etienne Giust has sent us his own takes. With the higher resolution and the burned edges, it's almost like we're dreaming about Shanghai dreamers.
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Three Chinese students commit suicide during gaokao, the national test |
 Xinhua The pressures of China’s national college entrance exam can have some tragic consequences: three gaokao takers have committed suicide in separate incidents in Hubei and Jiangsu provinces this week, repeating a disturbing pattern that happens nearly every year during China’s most rigorous academic test.
A male student in Guangshui, Hubei Province, jumped to his death from the top of a 12-story hospital building on Monday. A female student committed suicide in Hubei’s Ezhou city, although her cause of death has yet to be released. Hubei police officials have said investigations into the two cases were underway, but further details would be released after the gaokao ends so as not to disturb any test-takers.
In Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, a 21-year-old high school senior hanged himself with a computer network line four hours before Monday’s exam. The student had a history of mental problems, reported the Nanjing-based Modern Express newspaper.
Similar reports of students buckling under the pressure of the gaokao are reported almost every year.
Offered just once a year, the gaokao is the only college-entrance exam accepted by Chinese universities, and scores essentially determine a student’s future prospects and career. As the Chinese job market gets increasingly more competitive, a university degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee a decent job these days, but Chinese families continue to place an enormous value upon education and collective belief holds that getting into a good university is at least the first step in securing a brighter future.
Needless to say, it’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18-year-old.
Every year during the gaokao, in cities around the country, traffic is stopped, sirens and honking are banned, noisy construction sites are stifled, and parents and grandparents book out nearby hotel rooms and restaurants for exhausted exam-takers. A recent survey conducted by Sina.com and MyCOS revealed that 75% of Chinese high school seniors felt under “great pressure” beginning from the period leading up to the exam, and more than 60% of parents also felt stressed out.
With everything else in China changing at the speed of light, maybe it's time China took a closer look at the somewhat antiquated ritual of the gaokao (now in its 33rd year) and made some changes?
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Auntie Anne's comes to Shanghai, pretzel lovers rejoice |
 If you've ever enjoyed a soft pretzel, you should be very excited right now. US mall staple Auntie Anne's, famous for its sweet and savory soft baked pretzels, is coming to Shanghai. This Saturday, June 12, the franchise will open its first Shanghai store at Cloud Nine Mall.
The outlet will introduce our fair city to cinnamon sugar pretzels (dipped in chocolate, one friend has described these as being "the bomb") and Auntie Anne's signature lemonade. A Beijing store opened in 2008, and as of 2010, Auntie Anne's has 1,000 stores in over 44 US states and 21 countries. Think of it as the Starbucks of pretzels. Really really good pretzels.
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Cinematheque: Oh no! Robin Hood goes macho... (and other film news) |
 Yes we´ve seen him before, but that won´t stop him from peeking out of the Sheerwood forest once again - Robin Hood, this time portrayed by Russel Crowe. Are the directors and film producers of the world running out of imagination? Something about the film climate of Shanghai, and most of the worlds mainstream cinema this last year has been a bit... repetitive.. with remakes, sequels, new versions of old movies, adaptations of comic books or literary classics or just movies on the exact same theme we´ve seen popping up in the theatres lately. We've had Transformers 2, Ip Man 2, Iron Man 2, Step Up 2, Kung Fu Hip Hop 2, Shrek 4, Alice In Wonderland, Doraemon, Astro Boy, G.I. Joe, Black Cat Detective, kung fu kicks here and kung fu tricks there and god knows how many government made flicks with the single goal to place an air of glory around The People's Republic of China.
So it´s not very surprising when the next big English language film to show up is...a Robin Hood movie! Which will now fill its place in a row of, say around 50 already made feature length films portraying our medieval hero. While Robin Hood IS awesome and we love seeing him in new shapes and stories, the question is, is this latest one really a worthy Robin Hood portrayal?
The name of the director already makes us suspicious: Ridley Scott. Not to dampen his impact with classics like Alien and Blade Runner, but he did also bring a totally ahistorical take on Gladiator in 2000. As Robin, we will see Russell Crowe, now marking his fifth collaboration with Scott. Marion is portrayed by Cate Blanchett and Max von Sydow does Sir Walter Loxley. And the story this time, goes:
The film plots Robin Hood´s early years, before he became the legendary champion of the poor. In 13th-century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of power. We also see the early days of Robin´s romance with a young widow named Marion...
Crowe has put a lot of work into portraying Robin, the character he´s loved since his childhood days. Loosing weight, spending ten months reading books about the historical basis around Robin Hood, training with a bow and arrow until he was able to hit a target from 45 meters. That's all very nice. But - and this is very disappointing for Robin Hood enthusiasts - he will not wear tights(!!!) Whats up with this macho approach?
It has been suggested online that, just judging by the trailer, the movie bears obvious similarities to Ridley Scott's and Russel Crowe´s previous collaboration in Gladiator, where he starred as Maximus. "[Crowe] has the same haircut, the same beard and the same goal: to dethrone a corrupt ruler. Further on, we will see Robin, just like Maximus, "galloping into battle on horseback, sword drawn, face grimacing, dirt flying into the air in slow motion."
We've also heard that compared to other Robin Hood movies, this one is "considerably edgier, bloodier and bleaker" at least when compared to Kevin Costner's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. So what´s up Sir Ridley Scott? The director explains that he has actually explicitly created a toughened-up Robin, since as he puts it, when looking at previous creations of Robin, they have "failed to hit the target." Quoted in Times Online, he says, "Think of Gladiator. Everyone sniggered because they thought I was going to do a sandal and toga movie. But I knew exactly how to do it. And I know how to do Robin Hood."
Um, no you don´t. Maybe we wanted a sandal and toga movie. And maybe we're tired of seeing muscular men on horseback screaming in slow motion, it´s been used and reused in nearly every epic/historic battle filled movie anyway. And maybe we think that pressing Robin Hood, a character who´s whole charm lies in his non-machoness and courtesy, into the action hero format, is just a Big Crying Shame.
Wanna see it anyway? Heres info on where to go:
Check out what other movies are showing in Shanghai this coming week. Links lead to info about times and venues.
MOVIE EVENTS
Shanghai International Film Festival: For the 13th year the government-run SIFF is here, the festival which screens a variety of films in front of a judge's panel that last year included Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. As it's a government-sponsored event the films tend to be a bit hit and miss, but overall it's a good effort.
Japan: A Story of Love and Hate: Metropol Cinema will show this documentary about the life of a failed businessman living off his much younger girlfriend in Japan. British director Sean McAllister mixes a universal tragedy with peculiarly Japanese characteristics such as the nation’s unique attitudes to sex. RMB40. English and Japanese with Chinese subtitles.
Sad Movie: On Thursday 10 June, Vienna Café will show a Korean drama to those who love them and those who have absolutely no idea about them. "Sad Movie" film focuses on the stories about four relationships and their trials, pains, heartaches, and subsequent separations. The plot lines eventually connect in some way, but they remain unrelated for the most part. As Asian cultures often are obsessed with love and sadness, Sad Movie is a lighthearted comedy to experience what that is all about. Stars: Jung Woo-Sung, Im Su-Jung, Cha Tae-Hyun, Yeom Jung-Ah, Shin Min-Ah, Son Tae-Yung, and Lee Ki-Woo. Directed by Kwon Jong-kwan. Korean with English subtitles.
The Yes Men Fix the World: Studio City hosts a screening of this comic documentary by “yes men” Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno exposes the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal and other "natural" disasters. RMB40, English with Chinese subtitles.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE MOVIES
My Mom's New Boyfriend (特工的特别任务): Henry Durand is a young federal agent who is given a difficult assignment: spy on his mother and her boyfriend who is suspected of leading a gang of art thieves. Directed by George Gallo and starring Meg Ryan and Antonio Banderas.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (高度怀疑): "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" is a remake of the 1956 film noir by Fritz Lang in which a writer's plan to expose a corrupt district attorney takes an unexpected turn.. The new version is written, directed and filmed by Peter Hyams, and starring Michael Douglas and Amber Tamblyn.
Prince of Persia (波斯王子：时之刃): The Sands of Time: Based on the the 2003 video game of the same name, this action-adventure fantasy film transports you back in time to sixth-century Persia, aka Iran. Jake Gyllenhall plays street urchin Dastan who is adopted by the king as his heir. He then teams up with Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) to rescue the Sands of Time - a gift from the gods that controls time - from evil nobleman Nizam (Ben Kingsley).
How To Train Your Dragon (驯龙高手): This computer-animated fantasy film by DreamWorks Animation is loosely based on the 2003 book of the same title. The story takes place in a mythical Viking world where a young Viking teenager named "Hiccup" aspires to kill a dragon in order to get notice in a viking society. He finally shoots down a dragon, capturing it with a bolas cannon, though no one sees his feat nor believes him. But even with his chance at finally proving himself, he finds that he no longer has the desire to kill the dragon he captured and with time, befriends it.
Iron Man 2 ('铁侠2): With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances and confront powerful enemies.
Echelon Conspiracy (夺命手机): Max Peterson is a globe-trotting techno-whiz who installs security systems on computers. In the Czech Republic he receives an anonymous gift: a phone which sends messages that enable him to win at a casino. Max soon finds himself pursed by hit men, the casino's security chief, and a CIA operative. Who's sending Max messages? Previous recipients of similar windfalls have ended up dead. After a couple of close scrapes, Max realizes he's in danger, so he tries to find out the root of the conspiracy - which seems to have access to every security camera in the world - before he's the next victim. Why is this happening to him, and who can he trust?
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (地牢围攻): "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" is a 2008 fantasy film inspired by the Dungeon Siege video game series, which was directed by Uwe Boll. Set in the kingdom of Ehb, the story follows a man called Farmer (Jason Statham), who was adopted by his village. When Farmer's wife, Solana (Claire Forlani), and his son leave to sell vegetables at the town of Stonebridge, Farmer's farm is attacked by creatures called Krugs. With the help of his friend and neighbor Norrick (Ron Perlman) he travels to Stonebridge; however, the Krugs kill his son and capture his wife. With the help of Norrick and Bastian (Will Sanderson), Farmer's brother-in-law, he intends to find and rescue his wife.
CHINESE LANGUAGE MOVIES
Kung Fu Hip Hop 2 (精舞门2): “Kung Fu Hip Hop 2″ directed by Liu Bao Xian and Kang Ting, is a cooperation between 3 different countries and their professional street dancers and artists. Although it is a continuation of the 2008 flick “Kung Fu Hip Hop” in terms of style and elements, it is completely different in choice of actors and storyline. Director Liu Bao Xian has explained that to portray a more realistic street culture atmosphere, the film crew has done a lot of research, checking out different dancing skills in order to select the main cast. The movie is not only portraying one type of dance but also street parkour, street dance culture, different style of battles, graffiti culture and other current trends. It is said that "any street person can find their own shadow.” The story will focus on the crew team “Encore” that is led by Le Tian and in between there will be lots of love and hate, parting and reuniting, exposing secrets and the love story between Le Tian and Mian Mian. Chen Jia Ren is the dance instructor and Berlin Chen, Michael Tse and Korea b-boy crew take part in it.
Fortune Teller (算命): This documentary directed by Xu Tong won the Jury Prize at this year´s 7th China Documentary Film Festival. The story of a crippled fortune teller and his deaf-mute wife highlights the wit, compassion and compassion of fortune teller Li Baicheng. Xu Tong’s lively editing pace and intimate lens show how the pressure of progress pushes modern city folks to seek help from a traditional fortune teller.
Chongqing Blues (日照重庆): "Chongqing Blues" represents no notable artistic leap in Sixth Generation filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai's repertoire. While away on a long voyage, ship captain Lin Quanhai (Wang)'s 24-year-old son Bo (Zi Yi) was shot by police for a random stabbing and hostage taking incident in a mall. Lin left his native city Chongqing when Bo was only 10. He goes back to talk to those involved in the case or close to Bo's life in order to understand the circumstances of his death. Lin's journey is both that of an errant father taking stock of his guilty past and the return of a prodigal son to his hometown to find himself an outsider. Flowing with the same pensive, heavy cadence of the river that visually and metaphorically dominates the film, it is an old style exploration of the new face of China through an itinerant father's return to the titular city to make sense of his son's death after abandoning his family for 15 years. The film was showed in Cannes this year.
Lost on Journey (人在囧途): Comedy "Lost on Journey" is directed by Yip Wai-Man and stars Chinese actors Wang Baoqian and Xu Zheng. The story takes place in the period before Spring Festival Eve when China's national railway system is overloaded with people rushing back home. It is extremely hard for many people to get a ticket back, let alone a comfortable seat. Wang Baoqiang stars as a dairy worker who loses his job before Spring Festival, while Xu Zheng plays a businessman who's in trouble with his wife and mistress. The two characters meet while travelling to their hometown to spend Spring Festival with relatives. Funny things happen between the two men and with the people they encounter on their way home. Yip Wai-Man was the assistant director of "Bodyguards and Assassins", which received more nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards than any other film in history.
Ma Wen's Battle (马文的战争): This Chinese flick is adapted from Ye Zhaoyan's best-selling novel of the same name. It tells the story of Ma Wen and his wife Yang Xin, who cannot agree on the distribution of their property after getting divorced. Ma ends up sharing a tiny room with his now ex-wife, their young son and his ex-wife's new lover.
Illusion Apartment (异度公寓): The horror film "Illusion Apartment" is directed by Jiang Guoquan and stars Stephanie Siao, Ray Ma, Eddie Cheung and Amguulan. It tells a story about the devil which lurks in people's hearts. Considering the impact of horror films on youngsters, there will be a warning sign on the posters displayed in cinemas; however they will not be restricted to see the film.
Super-Frog Warriors (超蛙战士之初露锋'): In the distant future, in order to live on other planets, human beings have evolved into a new race: one of which is a frog tribe. But now the frog tribe finds itself under attack from another evolved species, one based on cockroaches. Now the two must battle for resources and to unlock the secrets of old human technology.
The Three Smiles: The Scholar and the Beauty (三笑之才子佳人): A young girl is determined to win the heart of a pop singer, by all cost...Loosely inspired by the love story of scholar Tang Yi (Tang Bohu) and house maid Qiu Xiang, which originated in the 16th Century, this off-beat comedy is created by Chinese comedian Guo Degang and his colleagues and disciples. Starring Stephen Chow and Gong Li's.
Road To Revival (复兴之路): "Road to Revival" is a film based on the musical staged in 2009 to celebrate the nation's 60th birthday, one of the most popular shows in Beijing last year. Zhang Jigang, director of the stage epic, also directs the film, presenting the nation's revival over the past 169 years since Western powers invaded China in the 1840s Opium Wars. When brought to the big screen, it maintains the magnificent setting and stellar cast including Peng Liyuan and Song Zuying.
Go Lala Go! / Du Lala's Promotion (杜拉拉升职记): Helmed by actress-turned-director Xu Jinglei, the film is adapted from a novel entitled "Du Lala's Promotion". The best-seller centers on a woman named Du Lala who takes the high road to get promoted. The film stars director Xu Jinglei herself as Du Lala, as well as Stanley Huang, Karen Mok, Li Ai, and Pace Wu.
OTHER LANGUAGE MOVIES
Gallants (打擂台): Andy Lau´s "Gallants" is a comedy action film, whose cast members mainly consist of senior Hong Kong actors from the 1970s. Newcomers Clement Cheng and Derek Kwok co-directed the movie, which is the latest project of Lau's company, Focus Films. "Gallants" centers on a kung fu master who wakes up from a long coma, and his disciples, who are holed up in a village restaurant. The film's cast includes Teddy Robin Kwan, Siu-Lung Leung, Kuan-Tai Chen and You-Nam Wong. In Cantonese.
Vitus ('琴小神童): The film tells the story of a highly-gifted boy whose parents have demanding and ambitious plans for him - they want him to become a pianist... Directed by Fredi M. Murer. In Swiss German.
Largo Winch (决战豪门): After a powerful billionaire is murdered, his secret adoptive son must race to prove his legitimacy, find his father's killers and stop them from taking over his financial empire. Directed by Jérôme Salle. In French.
Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (叶问2：宗师传奇): Two years after the film "Ip Man" (叶问) a sequel is now released, once again under the direction of Wilson Yip (Yip Wai Shun) and with Donnie Yen in the leading role. The film follows Ip Man, the kung fu master who among others taught Bruce Lee some of his tricks and kicks. After killing a Japanese army official to defend his honor, Ip Man flees to Hong Kong with his family to start a new life. Ip attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun, but faces rivalry from other practitioners, including the local master of Hung Ga martial arts. In Cantonese.
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