Capitalism was long seen as a dirty word in the far eastern reaches of the globe, but in lieu of their own Market revolution China serves as a beacon of commerce and industry the world over where new heroes are emerging in the form of entrepreneurs. One such avenue for the country’s burgeoning business minds to get their big break is via the world’s largest, most lucrative business plan competition otherwise known as CCTV’s Chinese game show, Ying Zai Zhong Guo. Win In China, a documentary produced by Ole Schell and Robert Compton, takes an in depth look at the show’s contestants plucked from an eager crowd of 120,000 impresarios to vie for over $5 Million in investment capital. The film also takes an in depth look at the industrial transformation of the world’s most populous nation as it occurred over the past 30 years, as well as it’s cultural impact. If all of this sounds as enthralling to you as it does to us, we suggest grabbing your tickets for the film’s world premiere taking place June 2nd at New York’s Asia Society. The screening will be preceded by a short talk between Orville Schell, Director of the Center on US-China Relations, and the film’s producers.

Banksy, beloved English street artist owes much of his popularity and fame to his voluntary anonymity. Some would call it admirable, an artist could surely garner more fame and fortune if he revealed his face. While others, like myself, think that he is already famous because of the intrigue he created. Director Ivan Massow tries to capture the Banksy phenomenon in his film “Banksy’s Coming For Dinner,” which stars Joan Collins, her husband Percy and a hodgepodge of other guests as they all convene for a dinner with Banksy. There is much excitement and comotion as the diners all wonder who the man behind the art really is. I’ve watched the trailer a few times now and to be honest, it is difficult to tell how much of the movie is fact and how much is fiction. It will be available in both DVD and downloadable formats soon and should be interesting!

Sneakers and footwear are such an everyday part of our lives that I think we sometimes take it for granted. While I read about the latest Nike Quickstrikes on Hypebeast and query sizing options for Red Wing Gentleman Traveler’s on men’s fashion sites, I rarely take a step back and wonder about the history of a shoe. That’s exactly what a graphic student from Helsinki did on a visit to her homeland, China.

Shumeng Ye saw a cleaning lady wearing a pair of Warrior basketball sneakers at the airport and her interest was piqued. Instead of leaving it as a passing thought, she embarked on a project that revealed a rich 30 year history that spans social classes. What was once a sought after shoe, Warriors are now relegated to the working class — and they’re not complaining. A year later, Ye returned to China to take pictures and assembled what she saw through the lens into a book.

Flipping through it, you’re immediately humbled by the poverty of the people in a country of 1.3B people. However, after a half a minute of scanning the page, you can’t help but crack a smile at the pair of crisp white kicks on peoples’ feet in stark contrast to the surroundings. The book (packaged with a pair of Warrior shoes) is available for purchase online as well as at major trendhouses Colette (Paris), Wood Wood (Berlin), and Patta (Amsterdam). It is a limited edition of 420. To say that I am impressed that a student was able to document an obscure and forgotten sneaker brand and turn it into product with tiered placement and an excellent online presence, would be an understatement.