A season titled “Rhythm Life” presented by Emperor Cinemas and DDDream will showcase six British films in Beijing between 8 April and 16 April. The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Beijing has promoted the event via its official WeChat platform.
What films have this special season chosen? Let’s take a look.
Pavarotti is a 2019 documentary film directed by Ron Howard about Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The film had a nationwide premiere event through Fathom Events on June 4, 2019, and was released in theaters on June 7, 2019. Pavarotti is an American-British venture, with CBS Films and HanWay Films serving as distributors.
The Tango Lesson is a 1997 drama film written and directed by Sally Potter. It is a semi-autobiographical film starring Potter and Pablo Verón, about Argentinian Tango. The film, a co-production of Argentina, France, Germany, Netherlands and the United Kingdom, was produced by Christopher Sheppard in Britain and Oscar Kramer in Argentina, and was shot mostly in black and white in Paris and Buenos Aires. The soundtrack includes original recordings of Carlos Gardel’s Mi Buenos Aires querido and Ástor Piazzolla’s Libertango, two of the most iconic tangos in the history of the genre. It also includes an original song written and sung by Potter.
Born to Be Blue is a 2015 internationally co-produced drama film directed, produced and written by Robert Budreau. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo. It was shown in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is about American jazz musician Chet Baker, portrayed by Hawke.is a 2015 internationally co-produced drama film directed, produced and written by Robert Budreau. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo. It was shown in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is about American jazz musician Chet Baker, portrayed by Hawke.
Finding Your Feet is a 2017 British romantic comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard. The film stars Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Joanna Lumley and David Hayman, and was released on 23 February 2018 in the United Kingdom. is a 2017 British romantic comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard. The film stars Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Joanna Lumley and David Hayman, and was released on 23 February 2018 in the United Kingdom.
Mrs Lowry & Son is a biographical drama film set in Pendlebury Greater Manchester, chronicling the life of the renowned artist L. S. Lowry. It was directed by Adrian Noble from a screenplay written by Martyn Hesford who also wrote the original play, and considers the relationship between Lowry and his mother Elizabeth, who has reservations over her son’s career in painting. It stars Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall in the title roles, with Stephen Lord, David Schaal and Wendy Morgan in supporting roles.
The film premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 30 June 2019. It was released in the UK on 30 August 2019.
Final Portrait is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Stanley Tucci. The film stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Tony Shalhoub, James Faulkner, and Sylvie Testud. The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 11, 2017. It was released in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2017, by Vertigo Releasing.
Unlike other British cinema seasons previously organised by the Shanghai Art Film Federation which tended to focus on more British film classics, “Rhythm Life” ‘s programme reflects a more current landscape of the British film industry, emphasising its international collaboration and co-production.
