If you have not seen Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings in the big screen yet, I strongly recommend that you do. While watching the eponymous movie, I realized how much I missed watching a movie in person in a physical theatre. And Shang-Chi is meant to be seen on the big screen, no doubt. That is, if you like family-oriented, wholesome, kung-fu packed movies with spectacular martial arts fight scenes. Our family watched it a week ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. While you are at it, you may want to try watching it in the VIP theatre of the Cineplex. It is just a difference of $5 but a world of difference in comfort. Like seating in business class in the plane (alright, maybe more like premium economy) with excellent food and bar service brought to your seat. Yup, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience after all the lockdowns. Mind you, the staff was very helpful, courteous and polite. Also reassuring was the strict health and safety protocols quietly followed by everyone.
It was so refreshing to watch an Asian-led cast and crew starting with our very own Torontonian Simu Liu in the lead role, Chinese icon Tony Leung as the humanized villain and the Asian-American indie film director Destin Daniel Cretton. What is even more gratifying is that they did an outstandingly great job of it. There are some pleasantly surprising elements in the treatment of the director that I found endearing. Is it in fact the blending in of the “softness” or the yin of Eastern sensibilities? I am not sure if this was deliberate by Cretton (probably not) but maybe it is just a natural outcome of his genes. Whatever it is, I found it totally relatable and fun. Awkwafina is always a joy to watch. Hands down. Her irreverence and cheekiness always comes out charming.
The legendary Tony Leung was true to his reputation. I have watched a few clips of his classic movies, grateful for being able to access them through the internet within the last years or so, with English subtitles, to boot. Hats off to the casting director and whoever else had a hand in selecting the cast. I also love the fact that none of them are the typical glamorous, Hollywood stereotypes and yet were charming, appealing and had d…mn good martial arts moves. I am, obviously, a die-hard fan of wuxia movies. Watch “Hero” the 2002 Chinese wuxia film directed by another legend, Zhang Yimou, starring Jet Li as the main lead together with, who else but Tony Leung, and other Chinese film luminaries like Maggie Cheung, Chen Daoming, Zhang Ziyi (of Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, another outstanding soft wuxia film released in 2002) and Donnie Yen.
One thing I noticed as well is the wholesomeness of the entire movie. Not only in terms of the story and character development (even for the villain played by Tony Leung) but the welcome (for me) lack of cleavage, sex scenes, etc. which are par for the course for most movies. I don’t remember any kissing scenes at all. Maybe there was a brief one but certainly nothing lingering or steamy. A movie you would not be squeamish to bring children to.
But the bestest of the best thing about Shang-Chi is that it is breaking box office records worldwide. And to date it still has to be released in Asia. I can imagine how much more it will add to their numbers when it is released in Asia. Especially in China with a population of 1.4 billion. At this point, the theatrical release in China is anybody’s guess. My guess is it eventually will. Anyway, be happy we are here in Canada, and go see it! In the theatres ideally. Although it will be released in Disney Plus by end of October, I still say it is best to watch it in the big screen. It will be a welcome break from this never ending covid saga which, of course, will eventually, sooner or later, be resolved in some form or other. Hope springs eternal in the human breast! – as the saying goes.
From that wonderful epic saga of Shang-Chi, let us move on to our very own Filipino academic and dance arts luminary and successful documentary film maker – Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Chairman and Associate Professor of the Department of Dance at York University. Let us cheer him on as he participates in the 2021 Cannes International Independent Film Festival (CIIFF)through his short documentary THEY CALL ME DAX. It will be physically screened as an official selection at the 2021 CIIFF. The documentary has also been nominated for an award. Together with the editor of the film, Alec Bell, Patrick will be attending the festival from October 1 to 3 in Cannes, France. Good luck to Dr. Alcedo and may he be granted many more accolades.
Quoting from Dr. Alcedo, here is the synopsis:
THEY CALL ME DAX is about the story of “ fifteen- year- old Dorothy who struggles to survive as a high school student and ballet dancer. Fondly called DAX by her friends, she lives by herself in a poor district in Quezon City, Philippines, a sprawling urban space of three million people.”
As if having his work of passion THEY CALL ME DAX selected for screening and nominated for an award at the 2021 CIIFF was not enough, Patrick’s feature-length docu film A WILL TO DREAM, will world premiere at the inaugural San Diego Filipino Film Festival in Chula Vista, California on October 15. So from Cannes, France, he and Alex Felipe, Filipino-Canadian cinematographer for the film will hie off to attend this event in San Diego. This calls for a celebration for us Filipinos and for all Asians. As a matter of fact, the cause to celebrate is also for all who not only have the will to dream but the passion and dedication to act on your dreams and make them a reality like Patrick did.
Hopefully, I can have photos for you in our next issue or succeeding issues of Balita of these momentous events in Cannes, France and San Diego, California with Dr. Patrick Alcedo. Kudos to you Patrick and you have our well wishes for more good things to come.
To cap off my piece for today, I am looking forward to the FLEURS DE VILLE Niagara Falls floral event September 24 to October 3. Upon the invitation of our close family friends, Joey and Aurora Luz of Niagara Falls, we are off to Niagara Falls to delight and luxuriate in the unique experience of attending this much-acclaimed festival FLEURS DE VILLE and, of course, to enjoy the charming and gracious company of dear friends amidst all the beauty that nature has to offer.
Keep healthy and safe everyone. Till then…
Tessie O. Taylor
Taylorteresita @gmail.com