Boston area readers looking for a fun Friday evening activity may want to consider checking out the screening of A Da's animated film Three Monks, happening just outside the Boston Children's Museum as part of its Movies at the Milk Bottle summer series. They project the movies right on the side of the milk bottle on the Museum's apron, with great views of downtown across the channel for scenery - take a look. Three Monks is - well, why not let the BCM's email do the talking:
In 1980, nationally acclaimed Shanghai-based artist A Da directed an animated film based on a famous Chinese proverb about cooperation. A simple tale of three squabbling Buddhists, A Da created the film as an allegory for the lack of communication between neighbors during China's Cultural Revolution. Without dialogue, but with vivid details, expressive movements and marvelous use of caricature -- each monk with his own personality, defined as economically as possible through movement and actions-- the film became an instant success. Monks won the best animation film in the first Golden Rooster Awards in 1981 and a Silver Bear for Short Film at the 32nd Berlin Film Festival in 1982. Sadly, A Da died suddenly from a stroke in 1987, at the peak of his career.
Sounds great, aside from the stroke part. And the Cultural Revolution, come to think of it. Can't imagine why people didn't want to open up to others during that. But anyway, it
should be a good time.
As I said, the official scheduled time for the movie is 8:30, but at previous evenings of Movies at the Milk Bottle, the action started earlier, around 7:30, when local indie bands would play for the crowd and folks hurrying across Fort Point Channel to catch the T at South Station. Last time it was The Squids, whom I'm sorry to say I missed. The email notice I received doesn't say anything about performers, so I'm not sure if there will be any, but something to keep in mind. It doesn't mention any other films, either, but generally there are a few shorts and odds 'n' ends thrown in. Three Monks runs about 20 minutes. Also, please remember: Children's Museum. If you've an aversion to toddlers, perhaps not the place to be. On the other hand, if there is a band, and you dance with the coordination of a four-year-old, you'll have no need to be embarassed. You'll fit right in.