Keeping up achievements

This is the Year of the Dragon and marks the 2nd Chinese Visual Festival, with the theme "Run, China, Run", tying in with the Olympic Games.

Hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics has affected Chinese society profoundly, far more than envisaged. This year's festival looks at the "aftershock" of the Beijing Olympics through a variety of Chinese films, art and music.

China is now racing forward as if modernization and development are Olympic sports, and "Run, China, Run" examines what has been gained and lost in the pursuit of speed and applause.

The festival of film, art and music will feature at its opening gala the UK premiere of Dragon Boat, the latest film by acclaimed director Cao Dan. Apart from a question and answer session with the director, the event will also include a preview of Wu Xiaohai's Indoor Movements art exhibition, a performance by Boulevard Productions of a new Mandarin version of the musical Sweet Charity, plus a drinks reception.

The following two weeks will feature 17 independent documentary films from China, director Q&A sessions, an art exhibition and artist talk by Wu Xiaohai and Chinese pipa playing from musician Wang Ting.

Date: Till July 6

Venue: Selected places in London

Website: http://chinesevisualfestival.org

(China Daily 07/06/2012 page31)