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Chinese Cinema Project

The Chinese Cinema Project is an exhibition initiative presented by The Garden Cinema. It showcases works from emerging and under-represented Chinese filmmakers via regular screenings, exploring auteurship and cinematic beauty in its various forms – new and classic, features and shorts.

Throughout June and early July, the Chinese Cinema Project presents ‘Lou Ye: Chaotic Desires’. This retrospective is dedicated to one of China’s great contemporary auteurs, and features a collection of Lou’s key works across two decades, alongside the release of his new title An Unfinished Film.

Upcoming Screenings

Suzhou River + In Shanghai 12A

4K restoration. These screenings are part of 'Lou Ye: Chaotic Desires', a special presentation by the Chinese Cinema Project dedicated to one… Read More

Lou Ye, China, Germany, 2000, 100m.

Fri 20 Jun

Sun 06 Jul

Spring Fever 18

The screening on 8 June will be introduced by Chris Berry (KCL). These screenings are part of 'Lou Ye: Chaotic Desires',… Read More

Lou Ye, China, 2009, 106m.

Sat 21 Jun

Saturday Fiction [UK Premiere] 18

The screening on Saturday 7 June will be followed by an online Q&A with the director Lou Ye, moderated by Tony… Read More

Lou Ye, China, 2019, 127m.

Sun 22 Jun

Past Screenings

Behind the Dream 18

This UK premiere of Behind the Dream: A Documentary on The Shadow Play, is presented in a double bill with The… Read More

Ma Yingli , China, 2018, 94m.

This screening has now passed.

The Shadow Play 18

This UK premiere of the director's cut of The Shadow Play is presented in a double bill with Ma Yingli’s Behind the Dream:… Read More

Lou Ye, China, 2018, 129m.

This screening has now passed.

Spring Fever 18

The screening on 8 June will be introduced by Chris Berry (KCL). These screenings are part of 'Lou Ye: Chaotic Desires',… Read More

Lou Ye, China, 2009, 106m.

This screening has now passed.

Saturday Fiction [UK Premiere] 18

The screening on Saturday 7 June will be followed by an online Q&A with the director Lou Ye, moderated by Tony… Read More

Lou Ye, China, 2019, 127m.

This screening has now passed.

An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty 18

The screening on 3 May will be introduced by Tony Rayns. Feature debut from Eddie Fong with fiercely feminist and erotic… Read More

Eddie Fong, Hong Kong, 1984, 102m.

This screening has now passed.

Chinatown Cha-Cha 18

The screening on 23 April will be preceded by a live dance and instrument performance from the senior dancers of Grant… Read More

Luka Yuanyuan Yang, China, 2024, 85m.

This screening has now passed.

Chinese Cinema Project presents: Shorts Programme 4 + Book Signing 18

This programme features five shorts made by visual artist and filmmaker Luka Yuanyuan Yang between 2019-2022, that derive from her multifaceted… Read More

Luka Yuanyuan Yang, China, US, 2019-2022, 110m.

This screening has now passed.

Kaili Blues 15

In anticipation of Bi Gan’s third feature Resurrection (following his Long Day's Journey Into Night), the Chinese Cinema Project revisits his aesthetically… Read More

Bi Gan, China, 2015, 110m.

This screening has now passed.

I Wish I Knew 18

As part of China Week 2024, King’s College London’s Lau China Institute and The Garden Cinema’s Chinese Cinema Project present the screening of I… Read More

Jia Zhangke , China, 2010, 116m.

This screening has now passed.

Borrowed Time + Reflection 18

In partnership with 100 Film Questions Studio, Chinese Cinema Project presents two films featuring mesmerising cinematography by Shuli Huang; Borrowed Time… Read More

Choy Ji, Anthony Chen, China, 2023, 2024, 102m.

This screening has now passed.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 12A

Our screening on 7 July is the latest in our discussion series, In the Works, hosted by Oscar nominated composer Gary… Read More

Screened in partnership with In the Works with Gary Yershon

Ang Lee, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, 2000, 120m.

This screening has now passed.

Keep Rolling 15

Chinese Cinema Project and Focus Hong Kong's Ann Hui season comes to an end with an acclaimed documentary, looking back at… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Man Lim-chung , Hong Kong, 2020, 118m.

This screening has now passed.

Elegies 18

This screening will be followed by a post film discussion in the Garden Cinema Bar. The latest work from Ann Hui… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Ann Hui, Hong Kong, China, 2023, 101m.

This screening has now passed.

A Simple Life PG

The screening will be introduced by Tony Rayns. Based on actual life experience of renowned producer, Roger Lee, Ann Hui’s multiple… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Ann Hui, Hong Kong, China, 2011, 118m.

This screening has now passed.

Summer Snow 18

Summer Snow is a brave, pioneering example of a Hong Kong film taking up the subject of old age and its accompanying… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Ann Hui, Hong Kong, 1995, 101m.

This screening has now passed.

Boat People 18

The screening on 21 April will be introduced by Chris Berry (KCL). Among the most important films to come out of… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Ann Hui, Hong Kong, 1982, 109m.

This screening has now passed.

The Secret [UK Premiere] 18

This is the opening film in Celebrating Ann Hui Season and the screening will be introduced by Tony Rayns. A complimentary… Read More

Screened in partnership with Focus Hong Kong

Ann Hui, Hong Kong, 1979, 90m.

This screening has now passed.

A New Old Play 18

The Chinese Cinema Project presents a mini-season celebrating Qiu Jiongjiong, showcasing his early non-fiction works and this modern classic. Qiu Jiongjiong… Read More

Qiu Jiongjiong , Hong Kong, France, 2021, 179m.

This screening has now passed.

My Mother's Rhapsody + short 18

The Chinese Cinema Project presents a mini-season celebrating Qiu Jiongjiong, showcasing his early non-fiction works and the modern classic A New… Read More

Qui Jiongjiong, China, 2011, 2009, 146m.

This screening has now passed.

Madame 18

Presented by the Chinese Cinema Project, in partnership with Queer East, this screening will be followed by an online Q&A with… Read More

Screened in partnership with Queer East

Qiu Jiongjiong , China, 2010, 120m.

This screening has now passed.

Dancing with Water: Green Night 18

This screening will be followed by an online Q&A with the director Han Shuai. Trapped in a life of oppression under… Read More

Han Shuai, Hong Kong, 2023, 92m.

This screening has now passed.

The Cloud in Her Room 18

Presented by The Garden Cinema’s Chinese Cinema Project. This screening is followed by a remote Q&A with director Zheng Lu Xinyuan,… Read More

Zheng Lu Xinyuan, China, Hong Kong, 2020, 101m.

This screening has now passed.

Dancing with Water: Barbarian Invasion 18

*This screening will be followed by a remote Q&A with the leading actor Pete Teo. Divorced and exhausted, retired actress Moon… Read More

Screened in partnership with Queen Mary University of London

Tan Chui Mui, Hong Kong, Malaysia, 2021, 106m.

This screening has now passed.

Rouge 15

The screening is to pay tribute to the iconic Hong Kong actor and singer Leslie Cheung who passed away tragically on… Read More

Stanley Kwan, Hong Kong, China , 1987, 96m.

This screening has now passed.

Dancing with Water: Jet Lag 18

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with Dancing with Water curator, Kiki Tianqi Yu (QMUL). During a trip from… Read More

Screened in partnership with Queen Mary University of London

Zheng Lu Xinyuan, Austria, Switzerland, 2022, 111m.

This screening has now passed.

Dancing with Water: Stonewalling 18

*This screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director, who will be in London. When Lynn discovers that she… Read More

Screened in partnership with Queen Mary University of London

HUANG Ji and Ryuji Otsuka, China, 2022, 148m.

This screening has now passed.

Dancing with Water: Virgin Blue 18

*This screening will be followed by a remote Q&A with the director Niu Xiaoyu. Virgin Blue tells the story of a college… Read More

Screened in partnership with Queen Mary University of London

NIU Xiaoyu , China, 2021, 100m.

This screening has now passed.

Suzhou River + In Shanghai 12A

4K restoration. These screenings are part of 'Lou Ye: Chaotic Desires', a special presentation by the Chinese Cinema Project dedicated to one… Read More

Lou Ye, China, Germany, 2000, 100m.

This screening has now passed.

In the Mood for Love (Immersive Screening) PG

The Garden Cinema's Chinese Cinema Project presents a dress-up screening of In the Mood for Love. In Hong Kong, 1962, Chow… Read More

Wong Kar-Wai, Hong Kong, 2000, 98m.

This screening has now passed.

Ripples of Life 18

The screening on Saturday 23 September 2023 will be followed up with an after-screening online Q&A with the writer director Wei Shujun, moderated by… Read More

Wei Shujun , China, 2021, 123m.

This screening has now passed.

An Elephant Sitting Still 12A

The Chinese Cinema Project presents Hu Bo's stunning An Elephant Sitting Still. In the northern Chinese city of Manzhouli, they say there… Read More

Hu Bo, China, 2018, 234m.

This screening has now passed.

Tharlo PG

This screening is to pay tribute to the Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden who sadly passed away on 8 May 2023, and… Read More

Pema Tseden, China, 2015, 123m.

This screening has now passed.

Journey to the West 18

Tang Zhijun, a down and out middle-aged man, is the editor-in-chief of a science fiction magazine. A question that has puzzled… Read More

Kong Dashan, China, 2021, 117m.

This screening has now passed.

So Long, My Son 12A

On Sunday 18 June, screenwriter Ah Mei will be in conversation with Tony Rayns following the screening. A joint presentation from… Read More

Wang Xiaoshuai, China, 2019, 185m.

This screening has now passed.

Balloon 12A

This screening is to pay tribute to the Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden who sadly passed away on 8 May 2023, and… Read More

Pema Tseden, China, 2019, 102m.

This screening has now passed.

Chinese Cinema Project presents: Shorts Programme 2 + Q&A 18

Following the screenings of Kong Dashan’s acclaimed feature debut Journey to the West in the UK as part of Chinese Cinema Project,… Read More

Kong Dashan, China, 2011-2017, 140m.

This screening has now passed.

Chinese Cinema Project presents: Shorts Programme 1 18

The screening on Sunday 16 April will be followed by an online panel discussion with filmmakers LUO Runxiao, HU Qiao and… Read More

Various, China, 2022, 140m.

This screening has now passed.