#tony zhou

[thefugitivesaint]

In case you didn't know dear reader, 'Every Frame A Painting' has returned with a new video essay (it's been about 8 years since Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou put a video essay together outside of some special features they crafted for The Criterion Collection [examples one & two], Filmstruck, and for the Netflix series Voir). It seems like this return is set to be a "limited series" of video essays. The series will be followed by a short film called "The Second," starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee & Ethan Hwang (which is briefly described as being about "an alternate version of today’s world where dueling is still acceptable Philip, a man of tradition, must perform the role of “Second” on the day of his only son’s duel.") if you enjoy movies and you have an interest in video essays, then I highly suggest giving 'Every Frame' a watch. The essays are concise, insightful, and well crafted. The duo of Zhou and Ramos are often credited for establishing video essays as a "legitimate" medium on Youtube. Whether or not this claim is valid is besides the point, all I know is that their channel was one of the few channels I subscribed to and was always happy to watch. Glad to have more from them to enjoy.

[rickchung]

Every Frame A Painting x "The Sustained Two-Shot".

What do you do when you've got two actors, a bunch of dialogue, and only enough time to get one camera angle? Consider one of the oldest tools in the filmmaking toolbox: the sustained two-shot.

[wcwit]

[yibocheeks]

Historical Background for 《无名》 (Hidden Blade)

A very brief summary of historical details of note for understanding the context of the film:

The film is set during the Second Sino-Japanese War and WWII. There are several powers in play at this time: the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Nationalist Party or Kuomintang, and Imperial Japan. Imperial Japan invaded Manchuria (located in northeastern China) in the early 1930s and established the puppet state of Manchukuo. It was here where they hoped to establish a base from where they would continue their expansion into Asia.

In 1937, after many years of conflict, Japan occupied Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing. The Nanjing Massacre occurred at this time. After the fall of Nanjing, which had been the capital of the Republic of China at that time, the Kuomintang moved the capital west to Chongqing, under Jiang Jieshi's leadership. During this time, the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang formed a temporary alliance, suspending the years of civil conflict between them, although their vie for power continued. The Chinese Communist Party set up their base in Yan'an.

In 1940, Wang Jingwei, who was once a member of the Kuomintang but had always been in opposition against Jiang Jieshi, collaborated with Japan to establish the Wang Jingwei regime. They claimed to be the leadership of the Republic of China, when in fact they were a puppet government of Japan, overseeing the Japanese-occupied territory in eastern China, under Japan's control. They established their capital in Nanjing and used the Kuomintang flag. The Axis powers recognized the Wang Jingwei regime, while the Allied powers still recognized Jiang Jieshi as the leader of the Republic of China.

From 1937-1941, Japan had left a few neighbourhoods in Shanghai unoccupied, because that was where the American-British joint settlement and French Concession were located. Many people fled to this area to live at that time. After Pearl Harbor in 1941, the entirety of Shanghai became occupied by Japan. Many cities were bombed during these years, including Guangzhou, which experienced bombings for 14 months in 1937-1938.

During this era of war, which is also called the War of Resistance in China, espionage networks were established to try to undermine the enemy. Hidden Blade tells a story about these individuals.

Characters in the film (spoiler-free):

Director He (Tony Leung): Director of the Political Security Department for the Wang Jingwei regime

Mr. Ye (Wang Yibo): A subordinate under Director He, works for the Political Security Department of the Wang Jingwei regime

Captain Wang (Wang Chuanjun): A captain working for the Political Security Department of the Wang Jingwei regime, under Director He

Minister Tang (Da Peng): Minister of the Political Security Department of the Wang Jingwei regime, Director He's cousin

Officer Watanabe (Mori Hiroyuki): Head of secret service in Shanghai, claiming to be a follower of Ishiwara's faction (Japanese general who believed in the Pan-Asianism ideology)

Mr. Zhang (Huang Lei): A secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's underground network

Ms. Chen (Zhou Xun): A messenger of the Chinese Communist Party's underground network

Ms. Jiang (Jiang Shuying): Kuomintang agent assigned to assassinate Minister Tang

Ms. Fang (Zhang Jingyi): Disguised as a dancer, she worked together with other progressive youth to try to assassinate Japanese officers

[linggluu]

hm i'm a zhang fei style my self

[michyeosseo]

I do not care what other people do with their lives– I want you to live.

Li Bing Bing and Zhou Xun as LI NINGYU & GU XIAOMENG THE MESSAGE (2009) dir. Chen Kuo-fu, Gao Qunshu

[mserm]

I think I've become self-aware enough to know that my ideal ship dynamic is a couple that is equally likely to live happily ever after as they are to have a garbage fire divorce. Or both. Get yourself a couple that can do both.

[elijones94]

🌸🗡️ It’s been ages since I really drew the character of Mulan. Much like with my drawings of Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and Young Simba, I refer to drawings of Mulan by Mark Henn. What I find fascinating about the movie “Mulan” is the that it was the first animated movie produced primarily at Disney’s animation studio in Florida. “Lilo & Stitch” and “Brother Bear” were also produced there as well. 🐲🗡️

[dramaddict-and-proud-of-it]

The rebel princess

Year : 2021 | Country : CN | Nb of episodes: 68

My rate: 9/10

Synopsis :

Wang Xuan and Xiao Qi strike a deal for the sake of power. They marry before falling in love and join hands to protect their homeland. She is a woman who is no less than any man while he rose from humble beginnings.

The imperial family has become rotten to the core. The nobles are lavish with no regard for the people. Princess Wang Xuan and her childhood sweetheart, the third prince, become pawns of a prophecy that states, "To acquire thee is to obtain the world." Being pulled into the court matters, Wang Xuan is married off by her father to Xiao Qi, who comes from a poor family.

On their wedding night, Xiao Qi is forced to leave the capital. Wang Xuan is shamed and discouraged. The Helan Prince kidnaps Wang Xuan in order to seek revenge on Xiao Qi. The crisis they face becomes a blessing in disguise for the couple. Wang Xuan is moved and inspired by Xiao Qi's wish to bring peace and prosperity to the nation, and they fall in love.

However, circumstances threaten to destroy them. The Wang and Xie clans are fighting for power, the Empress Dowager schemes to separate husband and wife, the military has committed treason while the Helan clan has raised their flags in rebellion. Wang Xuan puts her life on the line to escort the third prince to safety. She leads an army of men to defend the last stronghold, hoping that Xiao Qi can arrive in time with reinforcements...

Main cast :

Zhang Zi Yi as Wang Xuan/ A'Wu

Zhou Yi Wei as Xiao Qi

Tony Yang as Ma Zi Dan

My thoughts on this drama :

I had not seen Zhang Zi Yi in any show since Memories of a Geisha. She's is another league, acting-wise. This show is a masterpiece. We're here in a pure historical and political drama. There is one huge difference with other dramas of the genre: the cast is not composed of young actors. We have rugged men, older women, but all of them are amazing. The story is thrilling and engaging. I saw a lot of criticism regarding Zhang Zi Yi playing a teenage girl at the beginning of the story: I beg to differ. She is totally believable in spite of her actual age.

The cast gave us a stella performance, and the OST is to die for too!

A Favorite ?

YES

[wasabilobstar]

High School Story dorks doing that meme (except they have different priorities)

MCs- Akemi Yang (low-key dating Caleb), Iris Sanders (high-key dating Maria), Tony Lee (pining really really hard over Michael)

[yibo-wang]

Hidden Blade new poster for it's Chinese New Year release

[moviemosaics]

Hidden Blade

directed by Cheng Er, 2023

[chiegetseven]

Every Frame a Painting - Vancouver Never Plays Itself

[yibocheeks]

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Wu Ming 无名 "Nameless" MV (subbed) For translation notes, see here. Please do not repost.

[linggluu]

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