Chinese Movies

Chang An

Genres:Animation,History

Directors:Xie Junwei,Zou Jing

Length:168 Minutes

The film is based on famous historical figures and events of the Tang Dynasty (618-907),taking the audience on a journey back in time to that prosperous period of Chinese history and showing the charm of ancient poetry.

A few years after the outbreak of the An-Shi Rebellion (755-763),the Tubo army attacked the southwestern region of the Tang empire.Gao Shi,the local military commander being unable to defeat the enemy army,put the capital Chang’an in danger.While holding out in a besieged city,Gao related many of his experiences with the famous poet Li Bai to the emperor’s envoy.

Gao and Li play a duet of personal fate and national destiny,showcasing the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty.Through their experiences of success and failure,advancement and loss,viewers can also see the shadow of real life,and thus ponder over topics such as life and fate.Besides,through meticulous research and vivid imagination,the film integrates the most advanced digital technology into traditional Chinese brush painting,displaying an unprecedented visual feast of Tang poetry.

Creation of the Gods Ⅰ:Kingdom of Storms

Genres:History,Fantasy,War

Director:Wuershan

Length:148 Minutes

The film is the opening work of China’s first mythological epic film seriesCreation of the Gods,also known as “Fengshen Trilogy.” It is based on the classic novelFengshen Yanyi(Investiture of the Gods) published during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and another relevant storybook written during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties.

King Zhou of Shang (c.1600-1046 BC) colludes with the fox demon Daji to wreak havoc on society,triggering a heavenly punishment as a result.The immortal figure Jiang Ziya goes down the Kunlun Mountains with the List of the Gods,a magic treasure,to find a hero who can save the humanity and the whole world.Ji Fa,King Wu of Zhou,gradually discovers the conspiracy and leaves the capital to take revenge at a later time.

The film combines the myth and history of the Shang and the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC),creating an epic of choosing between good and evil in the face of the challenges of kinship and ethics.The film makes many alterations to the classical story to appeal to modern audiences,for example portraying King Zhou as the central character of the story rather than Jiang as was done in previous literary works.Daji is portrayed as an accomplice of King Zhou,instead of the evil controlling partner in their relationship.In addition,the film integrates elements of traditional Chinese paintings and bronze wares to the aesthetic creation of the realms of humans,deities,and demons.