The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) officially kicks off this Saturday, screening over 300 films from June 14 to 22. Tickets range from RMB40-60 and can be purchased from any of the 35 participating cinemas, through the official SIFF app or online at Gewara, Tianxi Tickets and Yi Piao Tong. Here are a few family-friendly options and the full schedule is available here.
Saving Mr. Banks
This international hit follows the real life story behind Disney's adaptation of Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks stars as Walt Disney who must convince author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to allow him the screen rights to her novels, leading to the creation of the musical classic.
// June 15, 3.45pm, Studio City Cinema - Hall 2.
// June 20, 3.45pm, Quyang Cinema.
// June 21, 3.45pm, Hu Bei Cinema.
// June 21, 8.45pm, Himalayas Premiere International Cinema.
// June 22, 3.45pm, SFC Expo International City Cinema.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ben Stiller stars and directs in this 2013 hit that’s been described as the feel-good film of the year. Stiller plays a dissatisfied daydreamer that must save his job by going on adventures for real. It’s a spectacular trip around the world that reinforces its larger message of just do it and follow your dreams.
// June 14, 1.30pm, Studio City Cinema – Hall 2.
// June 15, 3.45pm, Jiading Cinema – Hall 3.
// June 16, 6.30pm, Grand Theatre – Hall 1.
// June 18, 6.30pm, Shanghai Film Art Center – Hall 1.
// June 21, 6.30pm, Cinema World – Hall 4.
Doraemon: Nobita and the Haunts of Evil
The Japanese cat-like robot is an Asian kids sensation – arguably on par with Mickey Mouse as a children’s favorite. In this remake of the 1982 film, Doraemon and Nobita set off to the jungle to discover a grand statue. They soon find themselves in the Dog Kingdrom, controlled by an evil minister that they must overcome.
// June 14-15, 1.30pm, New Hengshan Cinema – Hall 1
// June 22, 10.30am, Shanghai Film Art Center – Hall 2
Under the Sea 3D
This documentary provides an awe-inspiring glimpse into the diverse coastal regions of Southern Australia, new Guinea and the Indo-Pacific areas spotlighting the gorgeous world under the sea. The footage is spectacular and the film has a larger message about the perils of global warming on the oceans. This is one of the many nature related documentaries that SIFF will play.
// June 18, 6.30pm, Peace Cinema – Hall IMAX
The Godfather
Not really appropriate for the whole family but is there any movie that’s more about family than the Mafioso classic. Probably shouldn’t bring the kids out for this one, but parents looking to go out to the theatres for an old-fashioned date night can enjoy the rare opportunity to catch more adult fare like The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Dallas Buyers Club and 4K restorations of classics like this one on the cinema’s big screens. Check out the That’s Shanghai SIFF picks for more options.
// June 16 and June 21, 8.45pm, Grand Theatre – Hall 1.
// June 17, 8.45pm, Shanghai Film Arrt Center – Hall 1.
