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Chinese Film Series
The film series of the Center for Chinese Studies continues to present outstanding films from the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as well as the United States which reflect the diversity and sophistication of current Chinese cinema. The Chinese language films are subtitled in English and provide an opportunity for non-Chinese speakers to learn about Chinese culture and society. Occasional film events of this center allow for an opportunity to meet with specific directors and hear them discuss their work. The series is free and open to the public. Schedules for the series are available from the China Center and from the CCS website by month.
October 2008 Events
October 25, 2008
7:00PM - 8:00PM, Auditorium A of Angell Hall, 435 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fall 2008 CCS Chinese Documentary Film Series - Red Capitalism: China's Economic Revolution
Further Information:
Description:
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 1995; 57 minutes (English and Chinese with English subtitles). An economic revolution is turning China into the world's largest economy. The birthplace of Chinese capitalism is Shenzhen which has exploded from a farming village to an industrial center of 3 million people. This film shows how Western corporations are moving factories to Shenzhen to profit from cheap labor and join one of the world's largest consumer markets. Currently there are 58,000 joint venture corporations - from Proctor & Gamble to Volkswagen - for an annual economic growth of ten percent. So desirable is it to work in Shenzhen that the city must be patrolled to keep out the teeming hopefuls. Scientists are working as clerks, and teachers on assembly lines because they earn more doing menial work here. This Mecca of free enterprise has its seamy side as crime and prostitution abound. Yet, from Avon salesladies to manic millionaires, its inhabitants exhibit boundless enthusiasm for the future.
November 01, 2008
7:00PM - 8:00PM, Auditorium A, Angell Hall, 435 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Description:
A film by Sharon Connolly, Susan Lambert and Stefan Moore for Film Australia; 2002; 55 minutes (English and Chinese with English subtitles). This unique film examines the battle raging to control China's airwaves. Working with a government that allows nothing of social or political import to be broadcast, entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia bring their full complement of consumerism and mindless entertainment to the millions or Chinese greedy for a glimpse of the outside world. Prof. Leonard Chu of Hong Kong Baptist University sees the arrival of television to the villages of China as a positive development, even with its limited programming. He applauds the new openness, providing a "window on the world." On the other hand, we hear from the director of Shanghai Communications whose only interest is in selling. He sees television solely as a tool for promoting Chinese products in their developing market. Gary Darcy, CEO of Murdoch's Star Network describes how BBC News was cancelled from the schedule because the Chinese government would never allow a newscast from abroad. Dr. Geremie Barme, a widely respected observer of Chinese society says, "Chinese television is a negation of the social contract which provided free educations, pensions, and social services to the people and peasants. Instead, the self sacrificing citizen of the past is being turned into a consumer."
November 08, 2008
7:00PM - 8:00PM, Auditorium A, Angell Hall, 435 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fall 2008 CCS Chinese Documentary Film Series - Last House Standing
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Description:
A film by Chao Gan and Zi Liang; China, 2005; 54 minutes (English and Chinese with English subtitles). As China continues its unprecedented economic growth, this documentary captures the poignant story of an elderly man caught between his country's past and future. In Shanghai, yet another district is scheduled for demolition and redevelopment. The residents have all been relocated except for one. The owner of an old mansion, Mr. Jiang steadfastly refuses to leave. Mr. Jiang was born in this house and has watched the history of Shanghai unfold from its balcony. Vividly depicting the relationship between an individual and a changing society, this is an intimate appreciation of the vast changes sweeping through China today.
