This new DVD box set from Arthur Dong is a must-have for those of you interested in the rich history of Chinese American performers. The set includes a special 2-disc edition of his most recent documentary, Hollywood Chinese (2007), which won Best Documentary at the Golden Horse Awards. It also includes A Toisan Trilogy, comprising three of his early short films. Last and definitely not least is the hard-to-find Forbidden City U.S.A. (1989), an entertaining and groundbreaking work of scholarship that is a major inspiration for this blog. At $98.95, the set is not cheap, but believe me — it's worth every penny. Perhaps the most compelling reason to buy this collection is to get your hands on one of the few remaining copies of Forbidden City, which will soon be out of print and unlikely reissued because of expiring music rights. This is the last chance for individuals to acquire the DVD (which is now only available as a single disc to institutional buyers). You — or the ones who love you — can order the set here. Free holiday shipping is available until December 13th. Don't miss this window of opportunity. Regrets are no fun.
Vous ne parlez pas français? That's no excuse not to buy this book. Only 22 euros (18 if you pre-order before December 13th), the 148-page Les actrices chinoises is bursting at the binding with gorgeous portraits of Chinese film stars, from Ruan Lingyu to Gong Li. It includes rare photographs from the films of Wong Kar-wai and the personal collection of Paul Fonoroff, as well as a few choice pieces from yours truly. Click here for detailed information in English about Les actrices chinoises and how to order it. To see a slideshow of some of the images from the book, check out the original page. I can't wait for my copy!
There's nothing cooler than a cool t-shirt. Best of all is a cool Hong Kong movie t-shirt, which is exactly what you'll find at Shelf Life Clothing. Their truly unique designs are guaranteed to please even the most jaded of HK cinephiles (may I recommend the Category III shirt).As for me, I'm partial to the Girls with Guns shirt, featuring "classic beauty" Betty Loh Tih toting a semi-automatic and the Mauser-armed heroine from The Red Detachment of Women.
Coming soon and available for pre-order is the hilarious Gambling Vampire shirt. A mash-up of God of Gamblers and Mr. Vampire, this design epitomizes what some of us love most about Hong Kong cinema. Is it too much to hope that Wong Jing will see this shirt and steal the concept for his next movie?!
11 comments:
I have a copy of 'Les Actrices Chinoises' coming my way soon and a future blog plost about it. I will also be google translating the book line by line =P
hi David,
The Les Actrices Chinoises book looks very promising. i wonder if it will be similar to Hammer Glamour with full page photos. i also hope actresses from the 50s are well represented.
Love the cover. is that Gong li?
I hope the "Shelf Life" T-shirts are of better quality than the GOD "Sister Long Legs" Cathay T-shirt I got. Or, rather, had. As it gave up the ghost in Germany a few months back -- and yes, it makes me rue my having deigned to wear it rather than just keep it under wraps! ;S
All very cool stuff, Dave.
Somewhere in my over-burdened closet, I have an old (vintage!) Brigitte Lin Bride With White Hair t-shirt. I think it was one step above iron-on, probably moth eaten by now, too! :D
-- Kingwho?, I can't wait to see the saucy photos you contributed to the book!
-- Eddy, I'm pretty sure there will be full-page photos. And yes, the actresses from the 50s are well represented. I contributed some fab shots of Lin Dai, Grace Chang, and Betty Loh Tih. And yep, that's Gong Li looking quite alluring on the cover of the book.
-- YTSL, it's always hard to say goodbye to a favorite t-shirt. That "Sister Long Legs" shirt was especially nice.
-- Dennis, I'd kill for a Brigitte Lin T-shirt! If you hear something in your closet, that's just me rummaging around. Ah... iron-ons... makes me think of the 70s and those custom t-shirt shops they had in the malls.
Aaaaah, the idea of a Brigitte Lin t-shirt -- though a certain ex-Subway Cinema fella had at least one (of "Swordsman II")... Still, what I *reeeeeallly* want is an Asia the Invincible stuffed toy/cushion!!!! ;O
Dave, unfortunately, I was informed that all of the scans I submitted were unusable for print. I saved all of the scans an will post them on the blog once I recieve the book.
-- YTSL, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around a plush Invincible Asia, although it's certainly true that he/she was soft on the inside. ;D
-- Kingwho?, sorry to hear about the scans. That's a loss for all of us. But at least we'll get to see them on your blog.
This continues to be one of the world's greatest blogs - believe me, it's worth every minute of the time you invest in it. It will become an enduring social history of our times
Best Holiday Gift Guide ever!
-- Andrew, you're too kind. Thanks!
-- achillesgirl, you're the one who hipped me to the "Gambling Vampire" shirt. ;)
Post a Comment