Culture Beat: Thai film festival kicks off in capital

Promotional material for the film festival Photo: Courtesy of China National Film Museum

Thai film festival kicks off in capital

The summer heat has faded from the autumn wind, but the enthusiasm of the summer film market remains unabated. 

The 2023 China National Film Museum International Film Festival kicked off among such an atmosphere. As part of the festival, the Thai Film Festival launched its first screening on Saturday.

Hosted by the China National Film Museum, the Thai Film Festival will jointly bring six excellent films full of romance and sincere emotions to the capital. Through 18 screenings, the audience can experience the unique charm of Thai films, especially romantic comedy films.

The films participating in the screening not only have their own style characteristics, but also contain strong narratives and cinematography as well as the social features and humanistic customs of Thailand, bringing a fresh and unique experience to audiences who are accustomed to watching English and European films. 

Set to end on September 17, the festival will continue to present rarely seen Thai films every weekend.

Photo: Courtesy of 798 International Art Exchange Center

'Triumphism' exhibition at Beijing's 798 Art Zone

Triumphism - Xing Junqin & Ian Howard Joint Exhibition arrived at the 798 International Art Exchange Center as scheduled on August 13. The exhibition displays more than 50 paintings, sculptures and experimental photography works by Chinese artist Xing Junqin and Australian artist Ian Howard.

The theme of the exhibition "Triumphalism" is a fluid definition. The two artists integrate their own understanding and interpretation of Triumphalism into their works, hoping to arouse the viewers' thinking. Jin Hua, curator of this exhibition, noted that in the Western historical system, the Arc de Triomphe is a geographical mark passed through when victory returns, "and this exhibition contains a strong color of heroism."

The two have been co-creating and holding joint exhibitions for 22 years. With an open global vision and localized language, they pay attention to and focus on the theme of war and peace. The works exhibited this time not only have their own characteristics, but also expresses the concern of the two artists for the destiny and living conditions of human beings.

"The presentation of this joint exhibition is also a bold exploration. Howard magnifies his image works, alluding to this era of developed and crowded pictures. When his works are juxtaposed with my paintings, you will feel the excessive visual impact constantly challenges the tension of personal creation. This juxtaposition and display method is also our understanding of the times and creative reflection," explained Xing.