Wednesday, June 28, 6:30-8:30PM
Event Fee: FREE Members, $10 Non-Members
Location: 40 Rector Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10006
This June, China Institute will screen a selection of works from Hong Kong’s Chinese Documentary Festival. Through a personalized lens, these films (one feature and two shorts) explore contemporary social issues in Hong Kong and China including spirituality, identity, and urban and rural development. Since its inception in 2008, the Chinese Documentary Festival has drawn the attention of filmmakers from around the world, especially those of mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, becoming a major forum for Chinese documentary filmmaking. With an award-winning feature and US premiere screenings, you can experience a taste of this prestigious festival in New York.
吾土 My Land
范俭 / Fan Jian
China / 2015 / 81 min
In Mandarin with Chinese & English Subtitles
Chen Jun farms in Beijing. In his shack, he set up an “Agony Hotline” for farmers and was elected “Beijing’s role-model.” Little did he realize the village committee had sold off the land he rented. As the bulldozers moved in, Chen and his wife stood firm. As they started to film their troubles, they captured their daughter growing up. However, as she grew, they also had to rethink staying on their land.
My Land won a silver medal for best feature documentary at the 2016 Chinese Documentary Festival and was featured at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
此在.游回 Zero Acceleration
胡伟业 / Wu Wei Yip, Woody
Hong Kong / 2015 / 14 min
No Dialogue
In a city like Hong Kong that brims with noise and restlessness, some people engage in Buddhist practices like meditation and meditation walks to diffuse the distractions. This beautifully filmed documentary shows us a hidden oasis in this bustling city. US Premiere.
港米 Kong Rice
陈耀熙 / Chan Yiu Hei, Purple Hong Kong / 2015 / 15 min
In Cantonese with Chinese & English Subtitles
In recent years, a new wave of local farmers comprising professionals and university lecturers has emerged. They want to revive farming in Hong Kong and despite the dismal yield, they still give it their all. They also support causes including cultural preservation and saying “No” to the government and property conglomerates to protect the last oasis in Hong Kong from becoming yet another commercial complex. US Premiere.