Editors' Picks

My Name is Red                                                               
by Wang Lin

Author: Orhan Pamuk, Alfred A. Knopf Genre: Historical novel Publication date : 1998 Publisher: Faber and Faber Ltd

My name is Red, a historical novel set in cultural Islam, is an intersection of art, religion, love, sex and power.

The novel takes place at the cusp of miniature painting's demise. The book opens with a murder. "I am nothing but a corpse now, a body at the bottom of a well." The story is told by each of a dozen characters, and now and then by a dog, a tree, a gold coin, several querulous corpses and the color crimson. Readers will be lofted by the paradoxical lightness and gaiety of the writing, by the wonderfully winding talk perpetually about to turn a corner.

In my view, I think I would go so far as to say that Pamuk achieves the very thing his book implies is impossible. More than any other book I can think of, it captures not just Istanbul's past and present contradictions, but also its terrible, timeless beauty.

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Blind Mountain    
                                                               
by Helen Ji

Director: Yang Li Writer: Yang Li Genre: Drama Runtime: 95 mins Company: Tag Spledour and Films

At a glance, this movie will be regarded as simply unfolding China's social problem happened in 90s as abducting and selling women to that remote countryside so as to force them to marry those single men there.

However, the remote countryside, some ignorant values and those seemingly apathy villagers, the elements showing in this film, are not only just used to explore China's traditional long-standing problem as valuing sons, but also can give the audience more reflection regarding other topics.

Even those villagers' merciless behavior against the law and causes lots of tragedies, we still shouldn't simply condemn those uneducated villagers, for anyone is difficult to escape from the rules or common sense existed in self's living world involving ourselves regarded as intelligent talents. Every one has to live in a way as others think right in his/her living circle.

Yet, we also shouldn't turn to be pessimistic while facing some reality we can't easily flee away from. Thanks this movie for leaving a hope to us. The female protagonist named Bai xuemei never gives up her "prison break" even she has to undergo those cruel punishments after her failed escape such as being raped, beat, and enjailed. Her brave and persistent "prison break" is a metaphor and an urge to our pursuit of freedom and truth.

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Silk        
                                                                               
by Cathy Lai

Leading Actors: Michael Pitt, Keira Knightley Director: Franscois Girard Writers: Alessandro Baricco (novel) Franscois Girard (screenplay) Genre: Drama | Romance Duration: 96mins

This is a story about temptation and desire, based on the best-selling novel by Alessandro Baricco. Herve Joucour's love to his beautiful wife, Helen, was tested when he made his dangerous trip to Japan in search of silkworm for the factory in his town, during which he met the mysterious and sensuous mistress of a local warlord. The temptation became so strong that he would risk his life to go back to Japan one more time just for a note given by the mistress to him. On the other hand, Helen remained silent in enduring the changing attitude of her husband...

It is a pleasure to watch Silk with the beautiful epic scenery of the two entirely different continents. The film also successfully depicts the discontented characteristic of human being -- the desire you cannot reach will haunt you for the rest of your life.

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Eleven Mintues                                                              

by Elmo Hong

Author: Paulo Coelho Publishers: HarperCollins Publishers First published: 2003

It is a real story of a prostitute called Maria, a young Brazilian girl who is early convinced that she will never find her true love in her life. She always has this belief in mind that makes her emotionless. She begins to pursue her new way of living after she moves to Geneva. In order to survive, she becomes a prostitute. Besides, she enjoys this fascination with pure physical pleasure.

But one day, Maria encounters a handsome young painter who changes her life. He leads Maria to believe that there is true love in the world. Will Maria choose the dark path she is on or take risk to pursue her own love?