Action Overload! IP Man finally comes to the ICA

Everyone needs to choose his own path

An exclusive ICA release. A huge hit in China and Hong Kong, Yip Man or Ip Man is the semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese (as well as Bruce Lee) the martial art of Wing Chun.

The charismatic Donnie Yen plays the lead in this period tale set against the backdrop of the second Sino-Japanese War during the 1930s, and Johnnie To favourite Simon Yam also stars. Director Wilson Yip brings his customary dynamism to proceedings, although the man who really pulls it all together is the legendary Sammo Hung. His work here as action choreographer won a Hong Kong Film Award, as did the film itself.

In the scene above a Japanese General is giving out white rice to any Chinese person who defeats the Japanese fighters at a ratio of 1 bag per 1 defeated fighter.

Prior to this scene the General has killed Ip Man's friend (Sifu Liu) in a duel. Ip Man demands a fight with 10 of the black belts. Upon his victory, he refuses to take his reward, the 10 bags of rice and says "I did not come here for the rice". The General asks for his name and Ip Man replies "I am just a Chinese". The interpreter tells the General, "He is Ip Man".

Where
The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
12 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH

When
2 - 22 Oct, 2009

Douglas Coupland talk on What Words Look Like, in London

Douglas Coupland on What Words Look Like



A lecture from the Canadian author about what words look like, and the power of text as an art object. He will be in conversation with Rick Poynor, founder of Eye magazine.

Thursday 3 September 2009, 6:45 pm
ICA The Mall,
London,
SW1Y 5AH

Classic screening: Once Upon a Time in the West

There were three men in her life. One to take her... one to love her... and one to kill her.

One of Time's top 100 greatest films ever made. This epic is the story of a mysterious stranger with a harmonica who joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.



Newly restored and re-released by the BFI, Sergio Leone's masterpiece uses the epic theme of the industrial destruction of the Old West to frame compelling human dramas,
including the violent revenge odyssey of Harmonica (Charles Bronson).

Once Upon a Time in the West
5 - 7, 10 Sep 2009
Institute of Contemporary Arts
12 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AH

Preview of Big River Man and Q&A session with the Big River Man himself, in London

This formidable documentary follows overweight, middle-aged, alcoholic Slovenian daredevil environmentalist Martin Strel on a journey down the Amazon. Facing crocodiles, toxic waste, whirlpools, giant anacondas and piranhas, Strel attempts to swim the length of the mighty river, a seemingly impossible challenge that John Maringouin (director of a coruscating 2006 documentary about his father, Running Stumbled) captures in vivid style.

Preview Wednesday 2 September with a Q&A session featuring Martin Strel.

Preview of Big River Man and Q&A
Wednesday 2 September 2009 at 6:30pm
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts
12 Carlton House Terrace
London, England SW1Y 5AH

The Hurt Locker + Q&A with director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal

A vivid exercise in suspense and human drama set in Iraq that perfectly captures the addicitve nature of danger. Jeremy Renner plays a bomb disposal specialist who seemingly knows no fear as he methodically sets about dismantling deadly devices. A tense and immersive experience, and a unique portrait of a war zone and those who choose to work in it.



The screening will be followed by an onstage interview with director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal

The Hurt Locker + Q&A with director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal

Wednesday August 19, 2009 at 7:00pm

Institute of Contemporary Arts, London.
London, England SW1Y 5AH

Preview screening of The Disappeared & Q&A with the Director & Stars

Debut director Johnny Kevorkian's superior London-set chiller
has rising star Harry Treadaway as Matthew, a teenager literally haunted by the disappearance of his young brother. A series of uncanny occurrences convince Matthew that something beyond everyday urban blight lurks at the heart of the mystery. And guess what? He's right. Kevorkian creates a dark mythology to transform familiar surroundings into something worthy of your nightmares.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screenings on 17 & 22 June.
Dir Johnny Kevorkian, UK 2008, 96 mins, Cert tbc

Preview screening of The Disappeared & Q&A with the Director & Stars

Wednesday June 17, 2009 at 8:45pm

ICA Institute Of Contemporary Art
12 Carlton House Terrace
London, England SW1Y 5AH

Screening of Grown-Ups & Mike Leigh Q&A

Funny, moving and always acutely observed, Mike Leigh's stories famously start without a script and evolve through improvisation between writer and actors.

To coincide with the release of a new DVD collection showcasing all his work with the BBC, The ICA are very happy to welcome Leigh to the ICA cinema for a screening of Grown-Ups, the BBC drama starring Lesley Manville, Brenda Blethyn and Lindsay Duncan, originally aired in 1980 and now digitally remastered. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director and Amy Raphael, author of Mike Leigh on Mike Leigh. Part of the campaign to refurbish the ICA cinemas and maintain a future independent programme.



CinematICA: Screening of Grown-Ups & Mike Leigh Q&A
Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 7:30pm
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts
12 Carlton House Terrace
London, England SW1Y 5AH Get