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A lineup of thrilling films is bound to keep you entertained throughout the summer. Prepare to be dazzled by U.S. movies like “Barbie” and “Meg 2: The Trench,” while experiencing the epic Chinese blockbuster “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms” and the much-anticipated Chinese drama “The Breaking Ice.” Last but not the least, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is set for release on the Chinese mainland. While an official release date has yet to be announced, movie enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates and be among the first to enjoy this masterpiece.

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram ”猫眼” or “淘票票电影”

'Ennio Morricone: A Retrospective’

Ennio Morricone fans should not miss the opportunity to watch an array of iconic films with scores composed by him at two Broadway cinemas from Aug. 4 to Aug. 31. You will enjoy watching classic films, including “A Fistful of Dollars,” “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “Cinema Paradiso,” while appreciating Morricone’s music which often evokes strong emotions. All movies will be screened with both Chinese and English subtitles, except for “Everybody’s Fine” and “A Pure Formality,” which will only have Chinese subtitles. Mark your calendar for this exceptional cinematic experience.

A scene from "Cinema Paradiso."

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram”百老汇影城”

Venue 1: Broadway Cinematheque, 5/F, MixC World, Nanshan District (华润万象天地五楼深圳百老汇电影中心)

Metro: Line 1 to Hi-tech Park Station (高新园站), Exit A

Venue 2: Palace Cinema, 4/F, Raffles City, Nanshan District (来福士广场四楼深圳百丽宫影城)

Metro: Line 9 to Nanyou Station (南油站), Exit E

‘A Retrospective of Hong Kong Classic Films’

Immersed in nostalgia, movie enthusiasts are treated to 10 timeless Hong Kong films made between the 1970s and 1990s at the “A Retrospective of Hong Kong Classic Films” event, currently taking place in several Shenzhen cinemas, including CGV, Broadway and MixC. Dive into the thrilling world of classic Hong Kong cop and martial arts dramas with Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat and Jet Li, where legendary titles such as “Zu: Warriors From the Magic Mountain,” “Project A,” “The Killer” and “Police Story 2” command the silver screen.

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram”猫眼” or “淘票票电影”

‘Once Upon a Time in Britain’

Don’t miss the final chance to be a part of a British movie screening event at the Coastal Cinema, as it concludes this weekend. Secure your seats to watch “A Room With a View,” “Maiden” and “Howards End,” and let the magic of British cinema unfold before your eyes.

Venue: Coastal Cinema, Nanshan District (海岸影城)

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

Ennio Morricone fans should not miss the opportunity to watch an array of iconic films with scores composed by him. They will be shown at two Broadway cinemas from Aug. 4 through Aug. 31.

Morricone’s music in films showcases his talent in diverse musical styles and instruments. Whether it’s evoking deep emotions, building suspense, or capturing the essence of nostalgia, Morricone’s music enhances the cinematic experience and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

At the screening event, movie enthusiasts can watch from emotional epics by Giuseppe Tornatore to spaghetti westerns by Sergio Leone. All movies will be screened with both Chinese and English subtitles, except for “Everybody’s Fine” and “A Pure Formality,” which will have Chinese subtitles only.

‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988)

Plot: A filmmaker recalls his childhood when falling in love with movies in his home village and forms a deep friendship with a cinema’s projectionist.

Music: In “Cinema Paradiso,” Morricone’s music captures a nostalgic mood. Characterized by its sentimental motifs, Morricone’s music transports the audience into a world of bittersweet memories and cinematic enchantment.

‘Everybody’s Fine’ (1990)

Plot: Matteo (Marcello Mastroianni) decides to take a trip across Italy to go visiting his five children.

Music: In “Everybody’s Fine,” Morricone’s music reflects a sense of introspection and emotional depth. The score delicately intertwines melancholic melodies with warm orchestral arrangements.

"A Fistful of Dollars”

'A Pure Formality’ (1994)

Plot: Onoff (Gérard Depardieu) is a famous writer, now a recluse. The inspector (Roman Polanski) is suspicious when Onoff is brought into the station one night, disoriented and suffering a kind of amnesia. In an isolated, rural police station, the inspector tries to establish the events surrounding a killing, to reach a startling resolution.

Music: “A Pure Formality” showcases Morricone’s ability to enhance psychological thrillers through his score characterized by its suspenseful and haunting nature.

‘A Fistful of Dollars’ (1964)

Plot: A wandering gunfighter (Clint Eastwood) plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride and revenge.

Music: In “A Fistful of Dollars,” Morricone’s music captures the gritty atmosphere of the Wild West, utilizing twanging guitar motifs, harmonicas, and echoing vocals. These elements powerfully evoke the desolate landscapes and lone protagonist.

‘For a Few Dollars More’ (1965)

Plot: Two bounty hunters with the same intentions team up to track down an escaped Mexican outlaw.

Music: The film’s score prominently features a haunting melody played on the ocarina, which serves as the signature tune of the enigmatic bounty hunter, enhancing the film’s dramatic intensity.

‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ (1966)

Plot: A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.

Music: The movie score impeccably captures the grandeur and epic nature of the film, as well as the conflicting personalities of its iconic characters.

"The Basilisks”

‘The Basilisks’ (1963)

Plot: The story follows the uneventful lives of three young men who live in a small, poverty-stricken village in southern Italy.

Music: In “The Basilisks,” Morricone’s music complements the film’s themes of youth, rebellion, and societal pressures. The score includes both energetic and contemplative pieces, reflecting the emotional journey of the characters and the conflicts they face.

‘Ennio: The Maestro’ (2021)

Plot: The documentary “Ennio: The Maestro” is a tribute to the life and career of the legendary Italian composer. Directed by Tornatore, who worked closely with Morricone on several films, the documentary provides an intimate and in-depth look at the maestro’s life and artistic journey.

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram “百老汇影城”

Venue 1: Broadway Cinematheque, 5/F, MixC World, Nanshan District (华润万象天地五楼深圳百老汇电影中心)

Metro: Line 1 to Hi-tech Park Station (高新园站), Exit A

Venue 2: Palace Cinema, 4/F, Raffles City, Nanshan District (来福士广场四楼深圳百丽宫影城)

Metro: Line 9 to Nanyou Station (南油站), Exit E

Classic movies from the “Ennio Morricone: A Retrospective” and “A Retrospective of Hong Kong Classic Films” programs have been selected for this month’s Shenzhen Art Film Screening event held at Broadway Cinematheque.

The selected Morricone movies are “For a Few Dollars More,” “A Fistful of Dollars,” “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “A Pure Formality” and “Ennio: The Maestro.” All movies will be screened with both Chinese and English subtitles, except for “A Pure Formality,” which will have Chinese subtitles only.

The selected Hong Kong movies are “The Killer,” “Throw Down,” “Love Unto Waste,” “Peking Opera Blues,” “Zu: The Warriors From the Magic Mountain,” and “Games Gamblers Play.” Only “The Killer” and “Throw Down” have English subtitles.

Hosted by the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Shenzhen Art Film Screening project is a monthly event in which movie enthusiasts are invited to appreciate art films by charging only 20 yuan for designated screenings and to exchange ideas with outstanding young filmmakers at some of the events.

A scene from “Barbarian Invasion” directed by Tan Chui Mui. File photo

This month, movie fans can have an opportunity to talk with Malaysian director Tan Chui Mui after watching her movie “Barbarian Invasion” at 3:30 p.m., Aug. 12. In the movie released in 2021, Tan plays a former actress who steps in front of the cameras again after her divorce, to regain her sense of self.

Tan’s films often explore quiet and intimate moments, delving into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. With a focus on capturing the nuances of everyday life, her storytelling offers a deeply personal and introspective perspective.

“Barbarian Invasion” won the Jury Grand Prix at the Golden Goblet Awards, held in conjunction with the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2021. It is a mixed-genre film that combines elements of action, drama and mystery.

Ticketing: WeChat miniprogram “百老汇影城”

Venue: Broadway Cinematheque, 5/F, MixC World, Nanshan District (华润万象天地五楼深圳百老汇电影中心)

Metro: Line 1 to Hi-tech Park Station (高新园站), Exit A 

Exploring Japan through movie screening event

Nine Japanese movies spanning from the 1960s to 2016 will be screened at Coastal Cinema in the Coastal City shopping mall from Aug. 25 to Sept. 3, displaying the distinctive cinematic aesthetics in Japanese cinema. All movies will be screened in the original Japanese language with Chinese subtitles.

This cinematic journey allows movie enthusiasts to appreciate timeless classics like “Harakiri,” a renowned samurai film, while also offering a glimpse into the lives of contemporary individuals through acclaimed works such as “All Around Us,” “100 Yen Love,” “Happy Hour” and “Chronicle of My Mother.”Moviegoers can also witness remarkable performances by notable stars including Tatsuya Nakadai in “Harakiri,” Ken Takakura in “A Fugitive From the Past,” Koji Yakusho in “Chronicle of My Mother,” Hiroshi Abe in “After the Storm” and Sakura Ando in “100 Yen Love.”

'Harakiri’ (1962)

Plot: When a rōnin, a masterless samurai warrior aristocrat of the late Muromachi (1336–1573) and Tokugawa (1603–1868) periods, requesting seppuku at a feudal lord’s palace is told of the brutal suicide of another rōnin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined, and in doing so challenges the clan’s integrity‘A Fugitive From the Past’ (1965)

Plot: Three thieves escape from a heist, one of them killing the other two. He is sheltered by a sex worker and sought after by the police, but it is only after 10 years that his true motivation unravels.

‘All Around Us’ (2008)Plot: Kanao, a courtroom portrait artist, observes crimes, scandals and the decline of Japanese values without passing judgment. As he and his wife endure the tragedy of their first child’s death, hope slowly unfolds and their love story once again flickers to life.‘Chronicle of My Mother’ (2012)Plot: Based on an autobiographical novel by Inoue Yasushi, the film chronicles the passage of 15 years within a family struggling with abandonment, resentment and decline with old age. As the world turns, a son who has issues with his mother has to deal with his own children and his role as a father as well.

A scene from "100 Yen Love."

‘100 Yen Love’ (2014)Plot: Slacker Ichiko gets into a fight with her younger sister and begins to live on her own, working the late shift at a 100 yen shop. On her way home, she passes a gym and meets middle-aged boxer Kano who trains there in silence.‘Little Forest: Summer/Autumn’ (2014)Plot: Fleeing heartbreak in the big city, Ichiko returns to Komori, her rural hometown. She battles the summer’s rain and humidity, bakes her own bread and grows vegetables. In autumn, Ichiko begins reaping rice and recalls her departure five years before.

‘Little Forest: Winter/Spring’ (2015)Plot: Ichiko bakes a cake for an end-of-year party with her friends. In the depths of winter, making mochi and curry keeps the people of Komori warm. Later, spring brings thoughts of her absent mother as well as of rice planting and sakura, and she begins to think of leaving Komori behind again.‘Happy Hour’ (2015)Plot: Four women in their 30s reevaluate their relationships after a startling revelation concerning how one’s marriage forces each of them to ask one of life’s biggest questions: “Am I who I want to be?”

‘After the Storm’ (2016)Plot: Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, “After the Storm” centers on a private detective who struggles to find child support money and reconnect with his son and ex-wife.Booking: WeChat account “coastalcinema”Venue: Coastal Cinema, 3/F, Coastal City, Nanshan District (海岸城购物中心三楼海岸影城)Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E