In conjunction with the screening series New Tales of Chinese Cinema screening this weekend at the Museum of the Moving Image, I produced two video essays exploring films from the series, both published at Moving Image Source. The series includes Disorder by Huang Weikai and Oxhide II by Liu Jiayin, both distributed by dGenerate Films, a company I happen to also work for as a programming executive. Thus it pleases me to announce that dGenerate is now streaming Chinese independent films available on Fandor, starting with two wonderful documentaries: Super, Girls! and Crime and Punishment. Expect many more critically acclaimed titles to become available in the coming weeks.
Super, Girls! (directed by Jian Yi) follows ten female teenagers on their quest to become instant superstars on China’s biggest television show. The Chinese equivalent of “American Idol.” Drawing over 400 million viewers, the show’s runaway popularity spurred the Chinese government to ban it after only two seasons. The film provides unparalleled, intimate access into the contestants’ lives over several months. Through candid interviews and footage of nail-biting auditions and competitions, Super, Girls! offers a fascinating look inside what the Chinese media have dubbed “the Lost Generation” and their startling takes on sexuality and success in the new China.
Watch Super, Girls! on Fandor:
New Beginnings: Opening moments from contemporary Chinese cinema
