Cover The 18th Spring Film Festival
The 18th Spring Film Festival
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Watch for free these quality Chinese films at the Red Carpet Cinema and appreciate Chinese culture more this festive season
As the Lunar New Year fast approaches, Shangri-La Plaza presents an exciting lineup of Chinese films for the 18th edition of the Spring Film Festival. Initiated in partnership with the Ateneo Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies, Ateneo Celadon, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, this year’s Spring Film Festival is happening at the Red Carpet Cinema from January 23 to 30.
Spring Film Festival offers more than just a simple cultural exchange. It gives Filipinos a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and expands their knowledge about one of the world’s biggest film industries.
Here are the films you may watch for free at the 18th Spring Film Festival:
The Captain (2019)
Renowned Hong Kong director Andrew Lau’s The Captain is a gripping action thriller based on the real-life Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633 incident where a windshield shuttered abruptly after take-off. As the temperature rapidly drops and people lose consciousness, it’s up to the strong-willed captain, played by “Grand Slam” award-winning actor Zhang Hanyu, to perform one of the biggest miracles in aviation history.
Looking Up (2019)
Looking Up narrates the poignant tale of an astronaut who, stranded in space, draws strength from his enduring connection with his father. Directed by veteran Chinese actor Deng Chao, who also plays the lead role, the heartrending 2019 film was notably featured at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival and the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival and even won Best Film at the 11th Macau International Movie Festival.
Read also: Binondo Food Trip: Where to get the best Chinese delicacies in Manila’s old Chinatown
White Snake (2019)
Based on a popular Chinese folk tale, the animated Sino-US co-production White Snake by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji tells the story of a white snake yearning for the human experience. When the snake magically turns into a woman and marries a scholar, the star-crossed lovers must find out if their love is enough for the challenges ahead.
Legend of the Demon Cat (2017)
Delve into the fantasy world of the Legend of the Demon Cat, helmed by influential Chinese auteur Chen Kaige. It follows poet Bai Letain and monk Kukai as they investigate the death of the emperor’s concubine. The task becomes more challenging when a demon cat appears and wreaks havoc in their city.
Full River Red (2023)
Thriller and mystery fans can enjoy Full River Red, a period film by award-winning director Zhang Yimou. Starring Shen Teng and Jackson Yee, the story follows a murder mystery set in the beginning era of the Southern Song dynasty. This dark comedy, one of China’s highest-grossing films in 2023, explores themes of betrayal and patriotism.
The Bravest (2020)
The riveting disaster film The Bravest rounds out the festival lineup. Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Tony Chan and starring Chinese A-lister Huang Xiaoming, the film showcases the story of several Chinese firefighters as they struggle to contain a massive fire after an oil pipeline explodes—based no less on the real-life Xingang Port oil spill incident that captivated Chinese headlines.
The Captain
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Besides enjoying the fantastic lineup of films, festival-goers may also participate in the Chinese painting workshop on January 27 at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza. Spearheading this part of the programme is the Art Association of the Philippines’ president, Fidel M Sarmiento. Mall guests can also visit the exhibition featuring intricately made fans and scrolls.
Meanwhile, the East Atrium will have a special photo exhibition, “Nihao, China”, organised by the Embassy of China in the Philippines and Chinatown TV. It features iconic landmarks and landscape sceneries across China, different ways and traditions to celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 10, and some fortune predictions and readings per zodiac animal for the Year of the Dragon.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
