Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Karate Kid.
Directed by Harald Zwart. 140 minutes. Columbia Pictures, 2010. While this
film can never compare to the original masterpiece, and though Jackie Chan teaches Will
Smith's son, Jaden, kung fu, not karate, this latest version of
Karate Kid
is a stunning
postcard introduction to Beijing, the Great Wall, and some of China's most beautiful loc-
ations. Once you've been in the country for some time, you'll also realize that the various
locations are much more than a simple day's train trip away from Beijing.
The Last Emperor.
Directed by Mark Peploe and Bernardo Bertolucci. 160 minutes.
Columbia Pictures, 1987. A biographical film about the life of Puyi, the last emperor of
China. Shot for the most part within the walls of the Forbidden City.
Lost in Beijing.
Directed by Li Yu. 112 minutes. Films Distribution, 2007. Produced by a
small, independent Beijing film company,
Lost in Beijing
touches on topics of prostitu-
tion, blackmail, and rape in modern Beijing, told through the story that unravels when a
window washer sees his boss's wife raped by her husband. Unsurprisingly, this film was
banned in China but was released internationally.
Love Is Not Blind.
(
失恋33天
). Directed by Teng Huatao. 110 minutes. Perfect World Tele-
vision Culture Co., Ltd., 2011. This low-budget Chinese comedy became a major suc-
cess. In it, 27-year-old wedding planner Huang Xiaoxian discovers that her own boy-
friend has been cheating on her with her best friend. While her workmate, Wang Xiaoji-
an, helps her out she discovers who will really be by her side. Lots of Beijing location-
spotting opportunities.
Summer Palace.
Directed by Lou Ye. 158 minutes. Palm Pictures, 2006. A Chinese-French
collaboration, the film follows the passionate relationship of two universities set against
the backdrop of the 1989 Tian'anmen Square massacre. The film caused a lot of contro-
versy and was eventually banned from China.
Together.
Directed by Chen Kaige. 119 minutes. MGM, 2002. Thirteen-year-old violin
prodigy Liu Xiaochun moves with his father to Beijing to chase their dreams of him be-
coming a world-class violinist. It's a touching movie of relationships and life's lessons.
You and Me.
Directed by Ma Liwen. 83 minutes. China Film Group/Delphis Films, 2005.
The story of a young girl who moves into a courtyard apartment in Beijing managed by
an unpleasant old lady. Though it takes time and a few mishaps along the way, their rela-
tionship grows into true friendship and respect.