John and I have done a pretty good job keeping up with top Chinese movies that make it to the West. We have seen a few more since we moved to Shanghai. There are two things we found to be really different about Chinese movies
Observation #1. Romantic love is never requited. Lovers never end up to be happy couples. One or both usually die, or marry someone they don't love, or you name it. Best known examples of this are Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This may not apply to the very silly movies which we stay clear off. The one exception we found so far is Comrades: Almost a Love Story. The search continues...
Observation #2. Movies that start out funny may not be comedies. In fact, they can have very devastating endings. An example is Happy Times. I don't even feel like listing more of them here. I distinctly dislike, rather, cannot stand these movies. I feel so cheated.
Once again, it all has to do with expectations. Since Observation #2 is a rather recent revelation, I have not learned to adjust my expectations. On the other hand, Observation #1 has held true for so long that now I just assume someone dies in the end, so I am not disappointed.
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Movie Theater Scene in Shanghai: Then and Now
I grew up during the cultural deprivation of the Cultural Revolution. Although there were 5 movie theaters within a 200 meter walk of my home, only a handful of movies would be shown over the span of a year: Chinese Government propaganda films and a few North Korean imports which were much more popular.
By the time I was old enough to go to the movies by myself, the scene was much improved; more movies, different themes, and more imports beginning with Eastern European Communist Block countries. I loved going to the movies. It seemed like I was going to the movies several times a week. In addition, a big variety of movies was also shown on television.
Nowadays all the movie theaters in Shanghai are set up pretty much the same way as the US (stadium seating for example) except the popcorn is sweet not salty and the seats are sold by seat number not general admission. In addition to Chinese movies, top US action movies are very popular. For the last few weeks "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" showed all day long at 3 out of the 4 screens at a nearby theater. Prices of tickets also match US level too: 90 RMB (~$12) for premium showings.
Recently an art house movie theater has set up shop, but we are yet to visit.
By the time I was old enough to go to the movies by myself, the scene was much improved; more movies, different themes, and more imports beginning with Eastern European Communist Block countries. I loved going to the movies. It seemed like I was going to the movies several times a week. In addition, a big variety of movies was also shown on television.
Nowadays all the movie theaters in Shanghai are set up pretty much the same way as the US (stadium seating for example) except the popcorn is sweet not salty and the seats are sold by seat number not general admission. In addition to Chinese movies, top US action movies are very popular. For the last few weeks "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" showed all day long at 3 out of the 4 screens at a nearby theater. Prices of tickets also match US level too: 90 RMB (~$12) for premium showings.
Recently an art house movie theater has set up shop, but we are yet to visit.
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