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Sharing movies and life
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Huang Naili
LIN SHAOSHENG'S nickname in college was "director". After all, majoring as he did in video photography, he always dreamed of becoming a movie director. That dream is still a distant hope. However, Lin has finally made his name known in a small way, as an expert movie columnist for a group of friends who share his interest in the silver screen.
These movie fans formed a club called U-theque and gather every Saturday afternoon in a small conference hall at the He Xiangning Art Gallery in Overseas Chinese Town, to watch and discuss movies.
However, only five people sat in the darkness for Bruce Lee movies on Saturday. Many U-theque members, migrants to this city, have headed home for the Spring Festival, explained Ren Li, one of the organizers of U-theque.
Ren said U-theque was started about a year and half ago by Ou Ning, a designer who works hard to promote modern art, from rock'n'roll and experimental movies to video art, in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou which tend to focus on commercial activities. "I used to have a very vulgar taste for sentimental movies. Becoming a member of U-theque has broadened my view, although I still love sentimental movies," Ren said. She dismissed the idea that she was spending her spare time working for the organization, "What I'm doing here is not working. It isn't a serious organization. We love movies and we are just having fun here."
Joan Kin, a designer who also doesn't hesitate to volunteer her time doing design work for the organization's literature, said the Saturday gatherings not only quench her thirst for good movies, but also provide opportunities for her to meet possible partners for her future creative endeavours. "I have been attending the U-theque activities for almost a year. I stay with it because here I find people who share my interest in movies, other forms of art and also life."
U-theque usually has a theme for each gathering; for example, last Saturday was a tribute to Bruce Lee whose kung fu movies won fans around the world. Sometimes it movie directors are invited to make a speech. Some members, like Lin Shaosheng, are working together on short movies or documentaries.
Sun Lujing, who works for the gallery -- which provides the conference hall for free -- said her gallery tries to nurture appreciation for modern art of which movies and other forms of visual arts are important branches.
Membership in the club costs 120 yuan (US$15) which buys you attendance at 10 gatherings.
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