Aug 22, 2011
SFFILM
Shaolin (Xin Shao Lin Si, China/Hong Kong 2011), Benny Chan’s kinetic martial arts spectacle about Shaolin masters who take a stand against feuding warlords, plays September 28-29 at the San Francisco Film Society’s new theatrical home, San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema (1746 Post Street).
With a superstar cast including Andy Lau, Jackie Chan and Nicholas Tse-and the participation of a group of real Shaolin monks-this is an action-packed historical story of a cruel warlord’s rehabilitation through Buddhist practice. After facing humiliation, betrayal and tragedy, the ruthless General Hou Chieh returns to the Shaolin temple where he had once drawn blood and begs forgiveness. First assisting the monastery’s goofy chef, he continues to garner trust among the other monks and is granted further responsibilities. Dramatically building to an exhilarating climax, Benny Chan’s film offers rousing cinematic adventure against a stirring spiritual backdrop.
Written by Cheung Chi-kwong, Zhang Tan, Chan Kam-cheong, Wang Qiuyu, Alan Yuen. Photographed by Anthony Pun. With Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan, Fan Bingbing, Bai Bing, 131 min. Blu-ray, in Mandarin with subtitles. Distributed by Well Go USA. Showtimes 1:00, 4:00, 6:45, 9:30.
For screeners contact hilary@sffs.org.
For photos and press materials visit: sffs.org/pressdownloads.
At Film Society Cinema, the supremely stylish state-of-the art theater located in the ultra-contemporary New People building at 1746 Post Street (Webster/Buchanan) in Japantown, the San Francisco Film Society will offer its acclaimed exhibition, education and filmmaker services programs and events on a daily year-round basis for the first time in the organization’s storied 54-year history. For complete up-to-date information on all Film Society Cinema programming, including buying tickets, visit sffs.org.
Upcoming San Francisco Film Society programs
Opens September 2: Film Socialisme Legendary director Jean-Luc Godard returns to the screen with a provocative essay on the decline of European civilization.
Opens September 9: Puzzle A middle-aged housewife, cherished by her husband and two sons but nevertheless taken for granted, discovers an aptitude for jigsaw puzzles in this beautifully modulated character portrait from Argentina.
Opens September 16: Aurora Romanian filmmaker Cristi Puiu destroys all notions of crime as entertainment in this painstakingly realistic anatomy of a crisis, delivering a chilling character study of an ordinary person driven to extremes.
September 22: Grand Opening of Film Society Cinema with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, sake ceremony, selection of short films and open house reception.
September 23-25: Hong Kong Cinema New in 2011, presenting recent works from one of the world’s most exciting film industries.
September 26: The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan Private McKinley Nolan vanished 40 years ago on the Cambodian frontier. In 2006, his younger brother travels from rural Texas to Vietnam to try to unravel the story in this moving documentary.
September 27: Film Arts Forum: The Sound of Cinema Bimonthly information-sharing, discussion, networking, professional development jamboree for the Bay Area film community.
Opens September 30: Passione John Turturro’s tuneful exploration of the musical roots and traditions of Naples, Italy, as well as its influence on the rest of the world.