FILM

Can ‘Hero’ Save the Pandemic Film Genre in China?

A film from late 2022 offers something different from the maudlin sentiment of mainstream Chinese films about the human toll of Covid-19

MUSIC

JIHU Bridges East and West with Contemporary R&B

Rising singer-songwriter fuses Yi language, Han lyricism, and sounds of nature in new single

FILM

What Does ‘Upcoming Summer’ Say about Youth and Love?

A “controversial” teen summer movie tackles coming-of-age and (possible) LGBT themes

BOOKS

Lust, Revolution

In Yan Lianke's "Hard Like Water," eroticism and class conflict overlap within the Maoist vanguard of the Cultural Revolution

FILM

'Sister' Spotlights Male-Preferring Families

"Sister" puts the spotlight on Chinese families' traditional preference for sons

BOOKS

Empire of Silver

Jin Xu's new book puts silver at the center of dynastic fortunes throughout Chinese history

ARTS

Gallery: Society Guidance

Reintepreting 90s artists in a dizzying era of change

ARTS, HISTORY

Silent Centennial

National Museum exhibition marks the October Revolution with nice art…and little else

ARTS

Show of The Week: Roast

It’s not Saturday Night Live, it’s a beast all of its own. Censors killed it last year, but it’s back

ARTS

Show of the Week: Informal Talks

Hot young foreign guys discussing current affairs in Mandarin? It’s surprisingly civil and informative