Sifu's Email

* "Red Cliff" Film and Tai Chi Demo at the DFT

From: "Sifu Genie Parker" <sifugenieparker@wideopenwest.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 4:41:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: from Sifu re: Demo at the DFT

Hi Everyone,
Here follows an email from your fellow student Dennis Moore, newly elected president of the Friends of Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts.  He has invited us to do a short demo during the intermission of an internationally acclaimed Chinese film.  It's a reeeeeeally long film, and anyone who participates can watch it free and bring a friend.  It is being shown on several days, so think about which day or days you could do it.   Please let me know if you are interested - we'll do the 54 form and maybe some pushing hands or the sparring forms - and email or call me by this Friday, Jan. 8.
Hope you have had wonderful Winter Holidays.
Happy New Year to All,
Sifu Genie

Hello, Sifu.  I spoke yesterday with Larry Baranski, the Head of Programming at the Detroit Institute of Arts, regarding the possibility of folks from the Academy performing during screenings of 'Red Cliff' in January.  Here are some logistical details.

• For information, a blurb about the film from the DIA web site follows my signature block.  Detroit Film Theatre Director Elliot Wilhelm has said the abridged version seriously muddles the plot line, so this opportunity to see the complete, uncut film is an exceptional treat.
• Larry Baranski invites Academy members to attend and demonstrate at any or all screenings on Fridays (January 15 & 22) and Saturdays (January 16 & 23).  Selection of date(s) is entirely up to members of the Academy. 
• There will be an intermission in the screening, and Academy people would do a demonstration in the auditorium at the final half of the intermission.  The demonstration would be announced before the audience leaves for intermission, and it will be announced again before it starts.  A photo of the auditorium follows the film blurb.  It's a beautiful setting.
• Hopefully you, Sifu, would give a brief description of tai chi (from a miked podium), then Academy people would do the 54 Form.  Duration of talk and demo: 15 minutes.
• Deirdre and I would love to participate but it's not an imperative.
• The area in which to work is 6 feet deep, and approximately thirty feet wide.  Looks like a single row, with the number of people to be determined by you.
• Wood floor.
• Recorded music can be played to accompany the form.
• Lighting will be designed for the demonstration.
• Assumption based on our conversation: people would wear training clothes.
• Movie admission is free to all participants and one guest each.
• If friends/family/paparazzi also wish to attend, a group rate can be arranged.
• Academy materials can be placed on tables in the lobby where information about the film is distributed.
• Larry Baranski is the person who would make arrangements for the demonstration and does not require a great deal of advance notice.  He could be called (313-833-4686) on the afternoon before an evening screening/demonstration.
• Directions to the DIA and Detroit Film Theatre can be found at http://www.dia.org/dft/directions.asp .
• Larry has also mentioned the possibility of a demonstration in the DIA's Great Hall, a gorgeous space.  That would of course be subject to discussion.

That's about all I can think of in terms of preparatory information -- I hope it's sufficient for a decision to be reached.  I'd be happy to discuss with any and all.

Many thanks for the consideration!

Cheers,
Dennis

Dennis Moore
Public Affairs Officer
Consulate General of Canada
600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1100
Detroit, MI 48243
313-446-7039
Cell: 313-378-5700
Fax: 313-567-2164
dennis.moore@international.gc.ca
www.detroit.gc.ca

 

Detroit Film Theatre
RED CLIFF – THE COMPLETE DIRECTOR’S CUT
January 15 - January 24, 2010 
(China/2008—directed by John Woo)
Legendary action-cinema master John Woo (The Killer, Face/Off) and international superstar Tony Leung reunite for the first time since the 1992 action classic Hard Boiled in Red Cliff, the epic historical drama based on a legendary 208 A.D. battle that heralded the end of the Han Dynasty. In telling the story of a power hungry Prime Minister-turned-General who mounts a massive war to crush the two troublesome warlords who stand in his way,Red Cliff uses the grandest canvas imaginable to portray a battle — unrivaled in history — that changed the face of China forever. A massive hit in Asia and the most expensive Asian film production of all time, Red Cliff is a breathtaking war epic that marks the triumphant return of John Woo. Previously seen in America only in an abridged version trimmed to half of its original running time, we’re pleased to present the American premiere of the complete five-hour epic that is Red Cliff. In this case at least, there can’t be too much of a good thing. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (271 min. plus intermission)

“Thrilling filmmaking! Red Cliff blazes across the screen with a sweep most movies only dream of.” –Marshall Fine,Huffington Post

Friday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. 
Sunday, January 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. 
Saturday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. 
Sunday, January 24 at 2:00 p.m.