| Tianjin is the third largest city in China. Tianjin Film studio was founded in 1958 and has earned an impressive reputation over the past 40 years. Since 1992, Tianjin Film Studio has produced more than 20 films and 30 TV series and been awarded over 73 prizes in domestic and international film festivals.
A Kid's Kite
1995, Color, 90 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
This impressive story takes place in a small village during World War II that has been dominated by the Japanese. The peaceful life of the village has been disturbed; even walking through town to buy groceries or meeting a loved one is life threatening. Through the eyes of a little boy whose kite constantly flies over the Japanese compound, we glimpse the savagery and complex political upheaval during the war in China at that time.
Credits
Screenplay: Shang Jing, Wang Baoshen
Director: Zhang Jiandong
Art Director: He Qun
Cinematographer: Zhao Lei
Cast: Dong Fei as San Ni
Wang Yumei as Grandmother
Ju Xue as Er Ya
Chang Rong as Li Gui
All About My Stepmother
1999, Color, 90 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
In the new China, men are often encouraged to leave their villages and find employment in cities. The purpose, of course, is to provide a better life for their families. However, many of them find completely new lives and leave behind their hometown responsibilities. This is the story about one of such women after being left behind deals with her fate. She dedicates all her efforts creating a comfortable life for herself and for her village. This is a beautiful tale of perseverance and the strength of hope, magnificently photographed among the scenic mountains of northeastern China.
Credits
Screenplay: Zhao Junmei
Director: Ma Huiwu
Art Director: Ma Huiwu
Cinematographer: Xing Shumin
Sound: Sun Juzhen
Music: Shi Wanchun
Cast: Xu Shouli
Jin Xin
Amanisahan
1993, Color, 100 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
A beautiful young woman, Amanisahan, becomes a princess when the handsome prince of a Muslim kingdom falls in love with her while hunting incognito. Due to her humble origin and lack of education, the new princess is persecuted and discriminated against. In order to be accepted, she works very hard to master the local traditional folk music [MuKamu]. This fairytale is actually a true story. Amanisahan's efforts were instrumental in preserving this important musical legacy for future generations.
Credits
Screenplay: Saifuding Aizezi
Director: Wang Yan
Executive Director: Wang Xingjun
Cinematographer: Zhou Jixun
Cast: Munire Mulading
Tuerxunjiang
Shadikeaji
Winner of Special Inspirational Award by China Film Bureau 1994
Winner of Best Motion Picture at the 1st National Minorities' Film Festival 1994
Country Teachers
1993, Color, 90 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
In small villages short of national financing, country teachers are hired with poor salaries and limited benefits. The national government encourages young teachers to volunteer their services in these rural areas. This is the touching and sensitive film which exposes the life of a country village, its children and elders and their relationship with the country as a whole.
Credits
Screenplay: Ju Sheng, Liu Xinglong, Pu Yangui
Director: He Qun
Cinematographer: Meng Weibing
Cast: Li Baotian
Ju Xue
Xiu Zongdi
Wang Xueqi
Winner of Nomination Award at the 1st Shanghai International Film Festival 1993
Best Feature Film, Best Actor at the 14th Golden Rooster Awards 1994
Best Feature Film, Best Script, Best Actor Awards '93 by Chinese Film Bureau 1994
Best Feature Film at the 4th Pyongyang International Film Festival 1994
Best Director Award and Special Prize in Acting at the 9th Damascus International Film Festival 1995
Heroes Returning to the East
1993, Color, 100 mins / in Mandarin with ORIGINAL English subtitles CCE is not responsible for the subtitles of this film
Two hundred thousand Mongolian migrated from China and settled by the Lower Volga River during the 16th century. When Catherine the Great decided to unilaterally disarm all minorities in Russia. They decide to relocate back to China. This is a thrilling adventure filled with unbelievable Kung-fu action replete with stunning visual imagery as they cross China's western prairies.
Credits
Screenplay: Zhao Yuheng, Sai Fu, Xin Jiapo, Yu Chenghui
Director: Sai Fu, Mai Lisi
Cinematographe:r Ge Ritu
Cast: Ba Sang
Hasi Gaowa
Ye Hui
Baya Ertu
Winner of Excellent Feature Film and Best Director at Huabiao Award 1993
Best Cinematographer, Best Music and Jury's Special Award at the 14th Golden Rooster Award 1994
Itinerant Players
1984, Color, 106 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
During the war, a group of itinerant opera singers tour the country playing small villages and cities to earn a living. Through the experience of the troupe, we learn the brutality and era. Each has different experiences: one marries an officer and enjoys a short but luxurious life; another has to sacrifice herself for the troupe leader's medical expenses; yet another is caught by the Japanese and is forced into slave labor- After the war is over and the smoke clears, the survivors seek a new life...
Credits
Screenplay: Wu Zuguang
Director: Cen Fan, Fang Chen
Cinematographer: Yang Cong, Yang Delin
Art Director: Tong Jingwen
Sound: Zhou Yunlin
Music: Gao Wei
Cast: Li Baotian
Zhang Anli
Xu Jin
Han Yuanyuan
Men's River
1998, Color, 100 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
In a mountain village on the bank of Men's River, emotions are more torrential than the tide. Three adopted siblings, two boys and one girl, have grown up together. The younger brother falls in love with the girl. However, the parents, according to tradition, have decided the oldest brother should marry first and betroths him to the girl. The oldest brother accepts his fate until he meets another woman with who he falls deeply in love. This film is masterfully directed, depicts a rich colorful life along the river and delivers extraordinarily strong performances. A true classic!
Credits
Screenplay: Ye Mei
Director: Zheng Kehong
Cinematographer: Bao Xiaoran
Cast: Gao Zhiqiang
Zou Yitian
Tian Shaojun
Li Lin
Woman Sesame Oil Maker
1992, Color, 106 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
This award-winning film is masterfully directed by Xie Fei. A beautiful film that boasts strong performances by one of China's most revered stars, Siqin Gaowa and a brilliant supporting cast.
A beautiful, intelligent woman seeks comfort from the stress of her business, a violent, alcoholic husband, and a mentally retarded son in the arms of another man. When the young girl she has arranged to marry her son discovers her affair and responds with sympathy rather than disapproval, she feels remorse. In an attempt to free the girl, she offers to dissolve the marriage. The young girl, however, is reluctant. She fears that no one can love her. Two women at the mercy tradition and circumstance, take control of their lives by supporting on another.
Credits
Screenplay: Xie Fei
Director: Xie Fei
Cinematographer: Bao Xiaoran
Cast: Siqin Gaowa, Wu Yujuan
Lei Kesheng, Chen Baoguo
Golden Bear award and Film Critic award at the 43rd Berlin Film Festival 1993
One of the ten best Chinese language films at the 10th Hong Kong film festival 1993
Best Actress at the 29th Chicago film festival 1994
Saga of Mulan
1994, Color, 90 mins / in Mandarin with English subtitles
Many American are familiar with the animated Disney feature Mulan based on one of China's most famous legends. Here is an exquisite Chinese version of this the story that holds many surprises for American audiences. This film is a lavish production of a Beijing opera designed for film. With magnificent costumes and sets, brilliantly choreographed martial art battle sequences, highly stylized performance, this dramatic tale represents, somehow, the soul of China. Visually stunning!
Credits
Screenplay: Zhang Xinghua, Yang Baolin
Director: Xiao Lang, Qiu Lili
Cinematographer: Ru Shuiren
Art Directo:r Ma Huiwu
Sound: Liu Xiaochuan
Cast: Bai Shuxian
Zhang Guoqing
Best Musical, Huabiao Award, China 1994
Best Musical, the 15th Golden Rooster Award, China 1995
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