2024 Cork Chinese Film Week

22 Oct 2024

The Confucius Institute at University College Cork (UCC) is delighted to announce the upcoming 2024 Cork Chinese Film Week, taking place from October 22nd to October 26th on the UCC main campus. This annual event will showcase five carefully selected Chinese films spanning genres such as action, fantasy, and drama, offering a diverse exploration of contemporary Chinese cinema.

Event Details:

• Dates: October 22–26, 2024
• Venue: UCC Main Campus (Boole Basement)
• Admission: Free and open to all UCC students, staff, and the local community

The Cork Chinese Film Week aims to foster cultural exchange and deepen the audience's understanding of modern Chinese cinematic narratives. Whether you are a seasoned film enthusiast or new to Chinese cinema, this is a unique opportunity to experience the creativity and storytelling of Chinese filmmakers.

Film Schedule:

Screended Film Details:

Day 1 – October 22, 2024, 18:30
Film: Legend of the Demon Cat (剧情/悬疑/奇幻/古装)
Director: Chen Kaige
Year Released: 2017
Genre: Drama / Suspense / Fantasy / Historical
Duration: 129 minutes
Synopsis: The story is set during the peak of the Tang Dynasty in Chang’an. Bai Letian (played by Huang Xuan), once an official of the imperial court, demotes himself to a lower rank to gather material for his poetry. A series of mysterious deaths, including the emperor’s, all seem to be linked to a mysterious demon cat. A Japanese monk, Kukai (played by Shota Sometani), who arrives in Chang’an to lift the emperor’s curse, teams up with Bai Letian to investigate the truth behind these strange events.

Day 2 – October 23, 2024, 18:30
Film: Seven Notes in One Tune (剧情)
Director: Han Junqian
Year Released: 2023
Genre: Drama
Duration: 115 minutes
Synopsis: The film is set in a small restaurant in Suzhou, China, where 20-year-old A Xia, a young waitress, meets a university student named Mao Guo, who is interning at the restaurant. Through Mao Guo’s sociological lens, the film offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of ordinary people in contemporary China, portraying the warmth and struggles of these characters.
Recommendation: Based on the excellent work of youth writer Ge Liang, who was nominated for the Mao Dun Literature Prize, the film was released nationwide in 2023.

Day 3 – October 24, 2024, 18:30
Film: Cherries (剧情)
Director: Zhang Jiabei
Year Released: 2008
Genre: Drama
Duration: 102 minutes
Synopsis: This Sino-Japanese co-production was shortlisted for the 20th Tokyo Film Festival, the 38th International Film Festival of India, and the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival. The film is a moving tribute to motherhood, telling the story of a mentally challenged woman from the mountains who longs for a child, cares for a child, and protects her child. The screenplay is based on a true story, portraying the woman’s challenging journey.
Recommendation: Through this real-life story, the film celebrates motherhood, a universally understood emotion, offering Western audiences a glimpse into the authentic creative perspectives of Chinese female filmmakers.

Day 4 – October 25, 2024, 18:30
Film: Girls and Boys (剧情)
Director: Li Jiaxi
Year Released: 2023
Genre: Drama
Duration: 91 minutes
Synopsis: Premiering in the "Chinese Cinema" section of the 13th Beijing International Film Festival, Girls and Boys tells various childhood stories. Bai Qiaoqiao’s grandmother always gives the chicken drumstick to her younger brother, Bai Huhu, because Qiaoqiao is a girl. Li Jiaxi likes pulling the hair of a girl named Tangtang, and she reciprocates. These children, along with their teachers and classmates, navigate their sunny and happy childhood in a heartwarming tale.
Recommendation: This film showcases children's happy growth in contemporary China, filled with childhood innocence.

Day 5 – October 26, 2024, 16:00
Film: A Writer's Odyssey (动作/奇幻/冒险)
Director: Lu Yang
Year Released: 2021
Genre: Action / Fantasy / Adventure
Duration: 130 minutes
Synopsis: In a fantastical world, a tyrant known as Redmane brutally rules the capital city. A young boy named Kongwen, hunted by Redmane, decides to fight back. Guided by Black Armor (played by Guo Jingfei), Kongwen embarks on a quest to slay the god-like Redmane. This is the fantasy world of writer Lu Kongwen (played by Dong Zijian). Unbeknownst to him, the progress of his novel starts to affect the real world, and a man (played by Lei Jiayin) is hired to assassinate him.
Recommendation: Adapted from the work of contemporary Chinese novelist Shuang Xuetao, the film represents a peak in Chinese fantasy cinema. It explores profound themes like the interplay of reality and imagination. A Writer's Odyssey received multiple nominations at prestigious film awards, including the 34th Golden Rooster Awards, 19th Huabiao Awards, and 15th Asian Film Awards.

Join us for this cinematic journey, where we will enjoy captivating films and celebrate Chinese culture through the art of film.