Mini-Festival of Recent Asian American Films @ the Claremont Colleges

Asian Americans in Media Presents:
Mini-Festival of Recent Asian American Films

Still from Hollywood Chinese (2007)

Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m.
HOLLYWOOD CHINESE (2007) Directed by Arthur Dong
Location: Broad Performance Space

Hollywood Chinese presents a little-known chapter of cinema history: the Chinese in American feature films, from the very first independent Chinese American film produced in 1916 to Ang Lee’s triumphant Brokeback Mountain.  Hollywood Chinese brings together a fascinating portrait of actors, directors, writers, and iconic images to show how the Chinese have been imagined in movies, and how filmmakers have and continue to navigate an industry that was often ignorant about race, but at times paradoxically receptive.

In Person: Arthur Dong (Director)

Still from Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown (2008)

Wednesday, April 8, 7 p.m.
YOURS TRULY, MISS CHINATOWN (2008) Directed by Daisy Lin Shapiro
Location: Broad Hall 210

Ever since the very first Miss Chinatown was crowned in 1958, the titleholder has been a highly recognizable Asian American icon at once admired and reviled.  In Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown, the cameras go behind the scenes of the 2003 Los Angeles Miss Chinatown pageant, delving into the lives of two pageant contestants, as well as that of a Miss Chinatown imposter.

In Person: Daisy Lin Shapiro (Director) and Kristina Wong + surprise guest!

Still from Against The Grain: An Artist's Survival Guide in Peru (2008)

Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m.,
AGAINST THE GRAIN: AN ARTIST’S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO PERÚ (2008) Directed by Ann Kaneko
Location: Broad Hall 210

Spanning two decades of corrupt governments and inept leaders, Against The Grain tells the story of four inspiring Peruvian visual artists: Claudio Jiménez Quispe, Alfredo Márquez, Eduardo Tokeshi, and Natalia Iguíñiz. Each artist teaches us what it means to persevere and make art in a country like Perú. These struggles and commitments raise the question: Is freedom of expression a right or a privilege?

In Person: Ann Kaneko (Director)

Still from Perempuan Punya Cerita/Chant of Lotus (2008)

Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m.
CHANTS OF LOTUS/PEREMPUAN PUNYA CERITA (2008) Directed by Fatimah Tobing Rony, Upi Avianto, Nia diNata, Lasja F. Susatyo.
Location: Broad Hall 210 or Rose Hills Theater TBC

Four women filmmakers tackle four different stories about lives of marginalized women in Indonesia, exploring issues including teenage sexuality, human trafficking, mental illness, and AIDS/HIV.  This film was heavily censored by the Indonesian government.  The 35 mm print (schedule/space permitting) that you will see is uncensored. Some scenes are graphic and shocking.  This film is intended for mature audiences.

In Person: Fatimah Tobing Rony (Director)

This festival is funded in part by Pitzer College Campus Life Committee, Pitzer College Center for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS), Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies (IDAAS) and Intercollegiate Media Studies (IMS) at the Claremont Colleges.

For more information, go to:
Hollywood Chinese
Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown
Against The Grain
Chant of Lotus – site is in Indonesian, search for English information on google and youtube

For further inquiries, contact: Ming-Yuen S. Ma through this blog, or email ming-yuen_ma@pitzer.edu

Posted by Ming-Yuen S. Ma