“The focus is on mainland China and Hong Kong. Obviously we can’t cover everything,” says Simondson. “China’s rise is extraordinary, with the rise of the middle class and urban growth. We’re looking at important things like the extreme demographical shifts, from rural to urban life, and the effect of that on culture. Chinese culture is so complex and extraordinary; it’s amazing. The films and moving image art have been selected to provide as broad a look as possible at China now within the context of where we, in Australia, are in relation to China.”
Perspectives on China Now will screen films from accomplished contemporary Chinese artists and filmmakers, Yang Fudong, Jia Zhang and Wong Kar-wei. “The films and the talks feed off each other,” explains Kristy Matheson, Senior Film Programmer at ACMI. “The idea is that you see the films and engage with the issues. It’s not a film festival,” she adds. “It’s a series of films paired with talks. The selection of films is broad, from documentary to grand epic narrative cinema, to historical films, martial arts films, all with the intent to shine a light on various aspects of contemporary Chinese life. They reflect the diversity of Chinese cinema, of the various cinematic styles that have come out of there. The films look at different aspects of modern China, not just the political, and we’re not just screening documentary. For instance we haven’t done a series of martial arts before and that’s a big part of Chinese culture.”
How did the programmers know where to begin when it came to choosing the films? “China has been making films since cinema began so there’s no way we can condense something that big,” replies Matheson. “We chose films that allowed us to have discussions; we’ve taken a broad approach. The country is so huge and diverse so we’re not trying to offer a snapshot of China, that’s not possible. There are some docos, some Art House films, some epic narrative, some historical films… ACMI houses the Chinese Embassy’s collection of films, which means for some there will be an element of nostalgia in seeing some of the old films.”
One of the featured artists is famous activist Ai Weiwei: the 2012 documentary Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry will follow The Art of Dissent, one of four talk and film events exploring topical themes of contemporary China. China experts will examine conceptual art as an expression of freedom and discuss the way artists such as Ai Weiwei have become commentators on significant issues of modern Chinese identity. Recalling the interventions staged by the Chinese government when the Melbourne International Film Festival screened The 10 Conditions of Love in 2009, were the organisers of China up Close afraid of causing any offence? Simondson. believes informed conversation is the key to dealing with sensitive topics such as censorship and environmental issues. “We make sure the conversation is balanced,” she says. “We do address those issues and it’s important to do that in context. The activist artist Ai Weiwei- doesn’t represent all Chinese artists.”
Another important artist is film maker Yang Fudong. All five of his films will be screened including a special one-off screening of the artist’s acclaimed Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest (2003 – 2007). This event marks the first-ever presentation of all five films in a cinema. Matheson is especially looking forward to a screening of the work of China’s greatest film export, Jang Yimou, he of Raise the Red Lantern (1991). “His new film, Coming Home, is wonderful,” she says. “He’s still making films; he’s a powerhouse.”
Luring the Tiger from the Mountain is a platform for local industry to explore the development of Chinese-Australian co-production.Featuring experts and film industry practitioners from China and Australia, the discussion focuses on the importance of the Chinese film industry in a global context. As well, the China up Close symposium will examine contemporary video art and culture in China, and ways to deepen Australia-China cultural engagement. “Culture is not a separate entity from business,” observes Simondson.. “We look at how culture intersects with business in China; it’s a different perspective than the western one.” As well, China up Close will consider the Chinese-Australian artistic experience. “People like Tony Ayers, Benjamin Law and Alice Pung are involved,” adds Simondson..
But China up Close is not all important films and serious discussion about significant issues. On a more playful note, you can get an Augmented Manicure from Metaverse Makeovers where futuristic technology enables bling on your fingernails to interact with a phone app to do some surprisingly musical things.
BY LIZA DEZFOULI
