Best bets

The English Patient Live with Orchestra in Shanghai

Date: Sept 13 - 7:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

The English Patient is a 1996 American romantic war drama film directed by Anthony Minghella from his own script based on the novel of the same name by Michael Ondaatje and produced by Saul Zaentz. The film tells the story of Count Laszlo de Almasy, who is burned from a plane crash and tells his past story in flashbacks involving a romantic affair, while he is tended by a nurse. The film was released to critical acclaim, and received 12 nominations at the 69th Academy Awards, eventually winning nine, including Best Picture, Best Director for Minghella, and Best Supporting Actress for Juliette Binoche. Ralph Fiennes, playing the titular character, and Kristin Scott Thomas were Oscar-nominated for their performances. The film also won five BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globes. The British Film Institute ranked The English Patient the 55th greatest British film of the 20th century.

Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve Romeo et Juliette

Date: Sept 11-12 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts

Romeo and Juliet, a story of love stifled by hate. A family devastated by the violence of two enemy clans, ruthless rivals with no other reason for their bloody feud than that they belonged to two distinct families. How many wars in the world today reflect the tragedy of Shakespeare? The creation originates from several different encounters. First, the encounter with the intensely beautiful music from Prokofiev and this wonderful new experience of working with an orchestra. Also, importantly, the encounter with the dancers from Le Ballet de Geneve. Together, this production unites the bodies into the gentleness and fury of this music, and lets dancers be inspired by the rhythm, of which poetic nature will compose body movements, lifts, motions and fractures. All describe the passionate adventure of two lovers.