The Painted Veil

Xia Xiaowan’s 3D artworks

Chinese artist Xia Xiaowan’s 3D paintings using multiple panes of glass to create depth are simple in concept, but the results are pretty captivating. His pieces look like strange cloud people appearing out of the ether. Read more

Lin Tianmiao

One of the last exhibitions I saw in Beijing before I returned to the States from living there was a solo show by Lin Tianmiao. I wished I had seen more of her work earlier in my time living in China, as it would have helped me stay positive about the mostly shallow and confused art scene there that was at the time propped up by sleazy, orientalist gallerists from Europe. Read more

Luo Tao

I love this series of color etchings by Chinese artist, Luo Tao. Of the project, she says: ’since the 2008 Olympic games, China has grown like a giant and been frequently commented about by the British media. I have drawn on my perspective as a native Chinese person to comment on aspects of Chinese culture and education. I have this done through etching images that combine political satire, allegory and dark humor’. Read more

Black Dynamite blaxploitation movie trailer

One very angry and unstoppable man wages war against drugs and malt liquor. A take-off of the old blaxploitation films, this is parody at its best, with many knowing nods to camera and hilarious moments involving clichés taken to their extremes. There’s the Asian kung-fu master, pimps and orphans hooked on heroin. It all begins with Black Dynamite being spurned on his quest for blood after his brother’s brutal murder, and then pushed further for the love of a good woman. There are hoes and guns, along with catchphrases and great one-liners. See it.

Defamation documentary trailer

Does Israel use the Holocaust as an excuse for their continued issues with the Palestine people? According to this film, yes. Are people who criticise Israel’s foreign policy often unfairly labelled anti-Semitic? Again, yes according to this brilliant documentary made by an Israeli-Jew. Instead of passing judgment himself, filmmaker Yoav Shamir is smart enough to put himself and his camera in the right places, surrounded by the right people, and let the people damn themselves. Read more

In The Loop, a darker Yes Minister for modern times

A less clever but much blacker version of Yes Minister, this political comedy farce does excel when it comes to insults. The communication director in the British Government reels off some of the best combinations of expletives I’ve heard in quite a while, and later in the film is equalled by American foes. In terms of content, In The Loop tells of a rush to war in the Middle East and how easily a UN resolution can be manipulated on the back of manipulated information. In a blur of meetings and arguments, educated opinions or arguments are rare and only seem to happen in passing, and this movie presents a terrifying vision of politics. I much prefer The West Wing and its clever, hard-working politicians. Considering the stupidity of Bush and co, however, this piece is probably much closer to the mark.