On the day of ‘little’ year that kicks off the official preparation of the new lunar year per Chinese customs, Asian Pop-Up Cinema announces a Happy Lunar New Year-Watch 7 movies Free program sponsored by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, February 12-18, 2021. Seven movies are specifically handpicked for people to enjoy while celebrating the Year of the Ox.
Films chosen by the festival’s Founder and Executive Director, Sophia Wong Boccio include recent cinema sensations Ne Zha, China’s top-grossing 3D animated family film inspired by the Chinese legend and lore; award-winning documentary, Four Springs; martial art action The Unity of Heroes; romantic drama Last Letter; a fantasy/comedy, The Island; the box office smash hit, I Belonged to You; a coming-of-age story about art school students chasing their dreams through music and dance, Forever Young.
Powered by Eventive, movies will be streamed FREE from February 12-18.
Viewers can watch from anywhere in the States. Register in advance and watch the films anytime between February 12 – 18 before they expire at midnight CST. All films will be in Mandarin with English subtitles.
Sophia Wong Boccio states: “It is our pleasure to present 7 Chinese films during the first 7 days of the new lunar year!!! Since seven is considered a lucky number for many people, we wish everybody prosperity, good health & much luck in the Year of Ox!!!”
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Four Springs
四个春天
Director: Lu Qing Yi
Documentary | 105 Minutes
Distributor: Fortissimo Films
Cast: Lu Qingyi, Zhao Wei, Yunkun Lu, Guixian Li, Lu Qingsong, Huang Bo, Lu Qingwei
Four Springs is a documentary film that presents a family’s daily life in a remote town in Guizhou. From a subjective angle, the camera introduces the flow of life out of the screen: the quotidian toils, singing, excursions in nature, visits among friends and extended families, funerals, reunions, and separation. It presented the state of being of the two main characters, the director’s own parents, and their attitude when facing irretrievable loss in life.
Ne Zha [Birth of the Demon Child, Nezha] 哪吒之魔童降世
Director: Jiaozi
110 minutes | Animation/Kids & Family/Fantasy/Adventure
Distributor: Well Go USA
Cast: Lyu Yanting, Cao Yalong, Wang Zheng, Chen Hao, Zeng Hongru, Yang Wei,Zhang Jiaming
A young boy, Nezha, is birthed from a heavenly pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven. Born with unique powers, Nezha finds himself as an outcast who is hated and feared. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the boy must choose between good and evil in order to break the shackles of fate and become the hero.
The Unity of Heroes
黄飞鸿之南北英雄
Director: Lin Zhen Zhao
Martial Arts/Action |104 min
Distributor: Well Go USA
Cast: Vincent Zhao, Vini Li Lubing, Chen Chen, Li Bingyuan, Wei Xiaohuan,Xu Zhengguo, Michael Tong
A shipment of a narcotic more dangerous than opium is about to be distributed across the country by a corrupt pharmaceutical company. In the face of foreign and domestic enemies, can Wong Fei Hung stop the spread of this dangerous narcotic and save lives in time?
The Island
一出好戏
Director: Huang Bo
Comedy/Drama |134 min
Distributor: Well Go USA
Cast: Huang Bo, Shu Qi, Wang Baoqiang, Zhang Yixing
In this offbeat dramedy from Huang Bo, news of a meteorite bound to strike the earth doesn’t have much effect on Ma Jin’s everyday life; he still gets up and goes to a job where he spends his time daydreaming of a romance with his colleague Shanshan, and of winning the lottery. But when this cataclysmic event occurs during a team-building trip, he finds himself shipwrecked on an island with an odd group of coworkers… and the winning lottery ticket in his pocket.
Last Letter
你好,之华
Director: Shunji Iwai
Romance/Drama | 115 minutes
Distributor: China Lion Film
Cast: Zhou Xun, Qin Hao
Yuan Zhilan (Zhou Xun) attends a class reunion in place of her sister Yuan Zhihua, who recently passed away. While there, she reunites with her high school sweetheart and her story slowly unfolds as they communicate through letter writing.
I Belonged To You
从你的全世界路过
Director: Zhang Yibai
Romance/Drama | 111 minutes
Distributor: China Lion Film
Cast: Deng Chao, Yang Yang, Bai Baihe, Zhang Tian’ai, Yue Yun Peng, Liu Yan, Du Juan
Based on the bestselling series of short stories by renowned Chinese writer Zhang Jiajia, I Belonged To You is a touching romantic tale revolving around two radio disc jockeys and the world they inhabit. They find the audience they reach reflects their own love and heartbreak, and forces them to deal with issues larger than just their own lives.
Forever Young
栀子花开
Director: He Jiong
2015| Romantic Comedy | 107 minutes
Distributor: China Lion Films
Cast: Li Yifeng, Zhang Huiwen, Jiang Jinfu, Zhang Yuxi, Wei Daxun, Li Xinai, Du Tianhao, Song Yi, Wang Youshuo, Chai Ge, Zhang Yunlong
Distributor: China Lion Film
Xu Nuo (Li Yifeng) and Yan Xi (Zhang Huiwen) are an enviable couple. As the lead singer of the well-known ‘Gardenia Band’ on campus, Xu works hard with his fellow bandmates in hopes of becoming a professional musician. And Yan Xi and three of her friends look to fulfill their dreams of becoming dancers. However, when each of their respective dreams are close, they end up finding numerous obstacles putting their relationship to the test. When Yan is on the edge of collapsing, Xu becomes her support. In order to reignite Yan’s hope, Xu and his bandmates decide to prepare an unexpected surprise for her. However, these impulsive young men find out that they may have paid too much for the “surprise.”
