Last Saturday, Shao Foundation arranged an one-time preview screening of Jia Zhangke’s upcoming feature 24 City at Megabox cinema, The Village, Sanlitun, followed by CROSSTALK Beijing #2, a panel discussion titled ‘Reflection of Times: From Industrialisation to Urbanisation’ at Beijing Angle Modern Art. Topics such as industrialisation, urbanisation, the definition of ‘real’ in a documentary were discussed. Director Jia Zhangke, poet and screenwriter Zhai Yongming, film historian Lin Xüdong and film critic Wang Hong were among the guest speakers of this special event moderated by SF director Ou Ning.
Preview screening tickets being collected at the entrance.
Because the seats were limited, we could only give out 102 tickets based on first-come, first-served principle.
Our staff handing out tickets.
Waiting for the movie to start.
Audiences entering the theatre at 1:20pm.
Hall 7 of Megabox cinema.
The movie started.
Wang Hong (left) and Jia Zhangke in Beijing Angle Modern Art.
Jia Zhangke and Lin Xüdong (right).
Wang Xing, founder and CEO of the micro-blogging start-up Fanfou.com and the popular SNS site Hainei.com. Fanfou is a strategic partner of Shao Foundation.
We had a full house even before the discussion began! Some of the late arrivals could only stand on the sides. We will try to make it better next time.
Guest speakers (from the left): Ou Ning, Lin Xüdong, Wang Hong, Jia Zhangke and Zhai Yongming.
Zhai Yongming speaking.
Zhai published her first poem anthology in 1986. She is the co-writer of 24 City’s screenplay.
Jia Zhangke answering question.
Ou Ning moderating the discussion.
Audience taking notes.
Shao Foundation intern Pan He asking question.
Audience asking questions.
Jia Zhangke responding to the audience.
Wang Hong speaking.
Lin Xüdong answering Ou Ning’s question.
Our micro-blogging system powered by Fanfou.com. SF has been working with Fanfou since the first installment of CROSSTALK Beijing. The audience can ask questions and make comments in real-time via cellphone or laptop.
Audience can also discuss amongst themselves on the Fanfou screen.
‘May I have your autograph please?’.
The New Yorker’s Beijing bureau chief Evan Osnos talked to Jia Zhangke after the discussion.
Jiang Zhuo (left) from Ruzuo.com, a start-up through which members can organise movie screening by and for themselves. This allows them opportunity to watch movies which are not often available in the mainstream cinemas in China.
Lin Xüdong talking to audiences.
Business cards left by journalists.
(All photos by Sun Xiaoxi.)
* This text was originally written by Sun Xiaoxi in Chinese and was translated by Xu Yijing.
Continuing the Discussion