RESTLESS

“Beijing Welcomes You” reads a giant neon sign in the once Forbidden City, now home to a lively community of international expats who feast on the banquet of oriental culture as though it were spread out especially for them. The only trouble is – it wasn't. Translator Leah, escapee from small-town America, sees in “weigi” (the ancient art of Chinese chess) a game-plan to strike back against her two-timing Yankee boyfriend, and she learns more than just strategy techniques when she consults a handsome 26-year-old weigi master on how to play rough. Richard is a carefree surfer-dude, the unlikely member of his large Chinese-American family chosen to bear a late grandfather's ashes to his home village. Right off the plane Richard stumbles into calamity and family scandal, but things look up when he's introduced to an enticing and available Beijing cousin. Nevery losing affection for its fresh young characters, Jule Gilfillan's sparkling romantic comedy-drama nonetheless drives home some sharp truths about their cavalier, one-from-column-A-one-from-column-B approach to China and its people. (Partially in Mandarin with English subtitles)