What's New is a recurring column that looks at the new films, music, books and DVD releases in and/or about Chinese mainland
New Film: Gods of Egypt
Gerard Butler goes back to the ancient action well that gave him so much success with 300. However, Gods of Egypt takes place in an alternative ancient Egypt where the “world is flat and the gods live among mortal humans... with the ability to transform into animal-like form.” Well, okay then. In theaters nationwide on March 11.
New Music: SuSuSu x Kattzim - Cheesy Luv Songs
In the latest issue of That's Shanghai and That's Beijing, we surveyed some of the country's top indie labels about their plans. While Shanghai-based bass producer Conrank admitted his Rankadank label had been on the side for awhile, it would be back with a big year. The opening salvo is this single by Guangdong duo SuSuSu x Kattzim, a chilled out soulful listen that wryly belies the project's name. Available on Rankadank's Bandcamp.
New Music Video: ChaCha x Jah Jah Way - Wei Cheng
We don’t usually cover music videos (Live Beijing Music does a brilliant job of that), but this collaboration between Shanghai singer Cha Cha and Beijing rhymer Jah Jay Way was too good to be ignored. Recorded at the Big Boi owned Stankonia Studios in Atlanta (that famously birthed Outkast’s classic titular album and was previously owned by Bobby Brown), ‘Wei Cheng’ is the latest release in the Converse Rubber Tracks Project.
New Book: Bei Tong - Beijing Comrades
The Feminist Press at CUNY provides the first English translation of this fascinating work. Published online in 1998 under the pseudonym of Bei Tong, Beijing Comrades quickly developed a cult following across underground gay websites in China and remains “a central work of queer literature from the PRC.” The book follows a torrid love affair between arrogant businessman Handong and naive student Lan Yu against the tumultuous backdrop of late-80’s China. Available on Amazon.
New TV Show: Ballers
With its ambitious deal with HBO, QQ Video’s latest addition is the Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson-starring Ballers. Described as Entourage in the NFL, the comedy follows Johnson’s Spencer Strasmore as he moves from retired player to financial manager. The show is streamable for paid subscribers at QQ Video.
New TV: House of Cards, Season 4
Speaking on streaming, it was just a couple years ago that House of Cards ruled China's internet. Its second season was averaging over 3 million views a day and reputedly counted China's anti-corruption tsar as a loyal fan. Since regulation has forced foreign shows to go through a painstakingly long process before surfacing online, chances are low that the newly released fourth season of the Kevin Spacey starring show will legitimately make it online. Thankfully the Netflix model means that all the episodes of the new season was released on the weekend, so it should be available at your neighborhood DVD store over the next few days. No patience, join the efforts to make China repeat as the world's biggest House of Cards pirates. Frank Underwood would approve... we think.
For past What's New columns, click here.
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