An exclusive ICA release. A huge hit in China and Hong Kong, Yip Man or Ip Man is the semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese (as well as Bruce Lee) the martial art of Wing Chun.

The charismatic Donnie Yen plays the lead in this period tale set against the backdrop of the second Sino-Japanese War during the 1930s, and Johnnie To favourite Simon Yam also stars. Director Wilson Yip brings his customary dynamism to proceedings, although the man who really pulls it all together is the legendary Sammo Hung. His work here as action choreographer won a Hong Kong Film Award, as did the film itself.

In the scene above a Japanese General is giving out white rice to any Chinese person who defeats the Japanese fighters at a ratio of 1 bag per 1 defeated fighter.

Prior to this scene the General has killed Ip Man's friend (Sifu Liu) in a duel. Ip Man demands a fight with 10 of the black belts. Upon his victory, he refuses to take his reward, the 10 bags of rice and says "I did not come here for the rice". The General asks for his name and Ip Man replies "I am just a Chinese". The interpreter tells the General, "He is Ip Man".

Where
The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
12 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH

When
2 - 22 Oct, 2009

Curzon Cinemas is delighted to welcome director and writer Park Chan-wook to discuss his latest film in this post screening Q&A.

A priest becomes a vampire… another man’s wife is coveted… a deadly seduction triggers murder. Sang-hyun (played by top Korean star Song Kang-ho, The Host) is a priest who cherishes life so much that he volunteers for a secret vaccine to eradicate a deadly virus. In the process however, he becomes infected by vampire blood and his faith is tested further when a childhood friend’s wife, Tae-ju (Kim Ok-vin), comes to him asking for help. Sang-hyun soon plunges into a world of sensual pleasures, finding himself on intimate terms with the Seven Deadly Sins. The new film from acclaimed director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy) was jointly awarded the Cannes 2009 Jury Prize.




Where
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5DY

When
6:10pm, Monday 5 October, 2009

Master Korean Film Maker Chan-wook Park (Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, etc.) has made another horror film of sorts. In it Sang-hyun (played by top Korean star Song Kang-ho, of The Host) is a priest who cherishes life; so much so, that he selflessly volunteers for a secret vaccine development project meant to eradicate a deadly virus. But the virus takes the priest, and a blood transfusion is urgently ordered up for him. The blood he receives is infected, so Sang-hyun lives but now exists as a vampire. Struggling with his newfound carnal desire for blood, Sang-hyuns faith is further strained when a childhood friends wife, Tae-ju (Kim Ok-vin), comes to him asking for his help in escaping her life. Sang-hyun soon plunges into a world of sensual pleasures, finding himself on intimate terms with the Seven Deadly Sins.