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(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-28 08:04

Songs of togetherness

International students from six universities in Beijing gathered at Beijing Normal University (BNU) to perform in Songs of Getting Together, the first intercollegiate variety show featuring the capital's international students.

Performers from more than 20 countries displayed their versatility in music, dance, Kunqu Opera, acrobatics, clapper talk and traditional Chinese musical instruments.

BNU, one of the country's first universities to admit international students, says it will make the show an annual event.

Top prize for Chinese tenor

Chinese tenor Wang Kai, a post-graduate student of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, won the top prize at the recent 39th Italy Bellini International Vocal Competition.

Wang, who received much praise at home for his performance in the opera Confucius, was given the award for his dramatic and flawless rendition of Puccini's Che Gelida Manina in the finals.

Founded in 1965, the competition is one of the most prestigious on the vocal competition circuit.

Golden age of Web films?

Website-produced films are here to stay, says Yin Hong, an expert on China's film and TV industry.

Yin points out that several such films, as part of the "four plus one" project of four short films and a feature flick, all by young filmmakers, like Old Boys, a short film about youth and dream by a young commercial director, have created quite a stir.

A business model is also slowly emerging, adds veteran industry observer Tan Fei. For example, for the "four plus one" project, the Samsung group provided the money, while website Sina served as the broadcast and media supporter. The company thus gets publicity, the website hits and advertising fees, and the new directors opportunities to make films.

However, professor Liu Jia of Beijing Film Academy sounds a note of caution about product placements. All efforts must be made to ensure this is done in a reasonable manner, Lin says.

New award for old favorite

The new TV version of A Dream of Red Mansions has been voted Southern TV's "favorite drama".

Actress Li Xin who plays Xue Baochai was also named one of the best new artists of 2010, although many of the TV play's actresses and actors have been criticized online for their immature performances.

The Guangzhou-based TV station is now working on a new version of Journey to the West, which will debut in July.