Bonus Ep: Travel China through film
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In this bonus episode of Roundtable China, host Fei Fei explores the theme 'Travel China Through Film' ahead of the Beijing International Film Festival. The discussion centers on the upcoming film *Crossing a Dunn*, a romantic drama about two strangers—Xu Qiu, a designer, and Chen Yuzhou, a writer—who form a fleeting 'limited time couple' after both their online dates fall through. The film uses this modern relationship dynamic to reflect on emotional honesty in fast-paced urban life, particularly in Beijing. The story is deeply rooted in the Dongsi district of Dongcheng, a historic neighborhood where ancient courtyards, temples like Long Fu Temple, and traditional hutong alleyways coexist with modern commercial spaces such as Beijing’s first department store with escalators. The hosts highlight how walking through Dongsi offers a sensory journey through time—different directions reveal different facets of life, from vibrant food streets to intimate local routines. The episode encourages listeners to let films inspire real travel, embracing serendipity and the romance of getting lost in Beijing’s labyrinthine alleyways.
Let films inspire real travel—especially to places like Beijing’s Dongsi district, where cinema and reality intersect.
Embrace 'limited time couples' as a metaphor for emotional honesty in modern relationships, even if they’re short-lived.
Walking through hutong alleyways in a single direction can help you find your way out—even if you don’t know where you started.
Dongsi blends 600-year-old history with 1990s modernity, making it a living museum of Beijing’s evolving identity.
Seasonal changes in the hutongs—spring blossoms, summer greenery, autumn leaves—enhance the romantic and immersive experience.
Introducing 'Travel China Through Film' at the Beijing International Film Festival
“Some stories don't just play out on screen. They are rooted in real streets, real neighborhoods, real places that you can actually visit yourself.”
Introducing *Crossing a Dunn*: A Modern Romance in Beijing
“Why not just open yourself up to the current encounters that you currently have? I think it's a very positive mindset when it comes to relationships, right? Yeah. Focus on the present.”
Dongsi: Where History Meets Modernity in Beijing
“It's really cool. It blends in the ancient aspects of Beijing and also the modern aspects of Beijing. Which is kind of what this movie is doing.”
The Romance of Getting Lost in the Hutongs
Steve and Yang share travel tips for navigating Dongsi’s hutong maze, emphasizing the charm of serendipity, seasonal beauty, and the human experience of everyday life in the neighborhood.
“Some stories don't just play out on screen. They are rooted in real streets, real neighborhoods, real places that you can actually visit yourself.”
“Why not just open yourself up to the current encounters that you currently have? I think it's a very positive mindset when it comes to relationships, right? Yeah. Focus on the present.”
“It's really cool. It blends in the ancient aspects of Beijing and also the modern aspects of Beijing. Which is kind of what this movie is doing.”
Host
Guests
Dongsi
place
Crossing a Dunn
media
Hutong
place
Yang Yang
person
Steve Heatherly
person
Beijing International Film Festival
organization
Dongcheng District
place
Fei Fei
person
Long Fu Temple
place
1990s
other
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