Due to the state’s intensified restrictions on non-state-sanctioned film production and exhibition, Chinese independent cinema has in recent years been struggling to survive. Channels for screening these films and platforms for discussing them are fast disappearing, and production has significantly shrunk. However, despite a hugely adverse environment, a small group of filmmakers in China are continuing making independent films, while some independent filmmakers have chosen to move overseas to explore different ways of filmmaking in a new culture and society.
Our launch film screenings feature 19 films from 19 Chinese independent filmmakers, and post-screening Q&As with 16 filmmakers. Most of the participating filmmakers have been making independent films for one or two decades. They will screen their latest work, which has either come out in the past few years but never been previously screened in the UK, or has just been completed and will be shown for the first time. There are also three older films: two are related to the launch exhibition and one has only been screened a few times since it came out twenty years ago. We would like to draw attention to the work of three younger-generation Chinese independent filmmakers who currently reside in Europe. While carrying on the spirit of independent filmmaking, they are also actively seeking to work within an international network and to experiment with new forms and approaches. Given that Chinese independent cinema has long been a male-dominated field, we are particularly pleased to present the work of six female filmmakers.
By showcasing these exciting films, our launch film series aims to highlight that Chinese independent cinema is still an ongoing cinematic practice warranting attention and visibility. To be seen and to be discussed is probably more important than ever for these remarkable and resilient filmmakers. It is CIFA’s mission to help foster new audiences for Chinese independent cinema and facilitate future research on it.
Taming the Horse 《驯马 》(2017) + Q&A with Gu Tao古涛
25 September 19:30 – 22:00
Tyneside Cinema
Hideaway《庇护》（2023) + Q&A with Sha Qing沙青
26 September 19:30 – 21:30
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
The Revolution will Not Be Air-conditioned (2022) and An Asian Ghost Story 《九龙东往事》(2023) + Q&A with Wang Bo王博
29 September 13:00-14:35
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Baya《芭雅》(2023) + Q&A with Ji Dan季丹
29 September 17:30-22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
To Live 《傅永菊》(2023) + Q&A with Feng Yan冯艳
30 September 15:30-17:30
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Dancer 《陪舞者》(2021) dir.Wang Yunlong王云龙
1 October 12:00-14:30
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Stratum 2: The Asthenosphere 《地层2:软流层》(2021) + Q&A with Cong Feng 丛峰
1 October 17:00-22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Therapy 《治疗》(2019) + Q&A with Wang Libo王利波
2 October 15:30-17:20
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
In Search of Lin Zhao’s Soul 《寻找林昭的灵魂》(2005) dir. Hu Jie胡杰
3 October 14:00 -16:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Inmates 《囚》（2017) + Q&A with Ma Li马莉
26 September 13:00 – 18:20
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Screening + Performance: ‘Anti-Romantic’, a performative interactive script reading
Performers: Popo Fan 范坡坡，Echo Xuedan Tang 唐雪丹，James Cummings 康健
28 September 19:00 – 22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
A New Film (2023) + Q&A with Tawfiq Nizamidin
29 September 14:50 – 16:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Internal Screening
Wegen Hegel 《色 空》+ Q&A with Fan Popo范坡坡
29 September 16:15-16:50
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Linglong Tower《玲珑塔》 (2023) + Q&A with Zang Honghua臧红花
30 September 13:15-15:15
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Nightingale, Not the Only Voice 《夜莺不是唯一的歌喉》(2000) + Q&A with Tang Danhong唐丹鸿
30 September 18:30-22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Ballad of Roaming Spirits 《游神考》(2019) + Q&A with Li Xiaofeng黎小锋
1 October 14:40-16:40
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
No Desire to Hide 《海妖》(2021) + Q&A with Zhu Rikun朱日坤
2 October 13:00-15:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
Dialogue 《对话》(2014) + Q&A with Wang Wo王我
2 October 19:30-22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration
3 October 19:00 – 22:00
Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre
Free of charge, Registration