It seemed appropriate to see the perfectly crafted anti-imperialist anti-technology film at a high-tech theater in Shanghai China. Impressions: the 3D glasses made my big foreigner nose hurt and, as a result, it was difficult to focus on the film. Also the cinema was very hot, likely a clever attempt to enhance the experience by simulating the sweaty feel of an alien jungle planet.

The New Yorker has a front page link to a post about Jia Zhangke’s Unknown Pleasures (任逍遥, 2002) which reminded me, I don’t recall if I’ve written about his films yet. I did just recently stumble upon this album: 林强 -《贾樟柯电影音乐作品集》(“Jia Zhangke Film Music Collection”) which I can’t seem to find anywhere in the English speaking internet. It’s a collection of electronica used in Jia Zhangke’s films by Taiwanese musician Lim Giong (林强). Most of the pieces are wonderfully composed; and I’m as fond of the music as I am the films. Of his work, I most enjoyed The World (世界, 2004). It touches on a variety of current social issues in contemporary China, and has one of the best endings in all of film. Here’s a clip of the opening piece from the movie, also on the album:

The World Open – Sample