New Asia Cinema
Fall 2013: Transformative Journeys
New Asia Cinema 2013 focuses on films from throughout the Asian continent and global diaspora that involve life-altering personal journeys. This season we will explore a variety of genres, from documentary to melodrama to romantic comedy to anime.
The films are coordinated with UMass courses, including the Comm 296F film festival colloquium. All screenings are free and open to the public. All screenings will be held on the UMass campus, in Flavin Family auditorium , Isenberg School of Management room 137 at 7 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
New Asia Cinemas is curated by Anne Ciecko, Associate Professor of international cinema in the Department of Communication and a core faculty member in the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies, in partnership with the Asian Arts and Culture Program.
The Full New Asia Cinema Season
September 18 AV REVOIR TAIPEI (directed by Arvin Chen, Taiwan, 2010). Romantic comedy set during one night in Taipei. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. 85 minutes running time.September 25 THE MOSUO SISTERS (directed by Marlo Poras, USA, 2012). Tale of two sisters who return home to their remote Mosuo village in the foothills of the Himalayas after losing their jobs in Beijing. In Mandarin, Mosuo, and Tibetan with English subtitles. 80 minutes running time.
October 2 EMERGENCE: A MOVIE FOR YOUR EARS with original music performed live by Erik Lawrence, Harvey Wirht, and Rahul Roy. Approximately one hour event including performance and question/answer session afterwards.
October 9 MUMBAI DIARIES (directed by Kiran Rao, India, 2011). Intertwined stories of contemporary life in Mumbai. In English and Hindi with English subtitles. 95 minutes running time.
October 16 Documentary double bill: GOING UP THE STAIRS: PORTRAIT OF AN UNLIKELY IRANIAN ARTIST (directed by Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami, Iran, 2011). Portrait of a gifted and determined woman painter. In Farsi and French with English subtitles. 52 minutes running time. and THIS IS NOT A FILM (directed by Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Iran, 2011). Video diary of the acclaimed filmmaker's life under bans and house arrest. In Farsi with English subtitles. 76 minutes running time.
October 23 THE LIGHT THIEF (directed by Aktan Arym Kubat, Kyrgyzstan, 2010). A modern-day parable set in post-Soviet Central Asia. In Kyrgyz with English subtitles. 80 minutes running time.
October 30 Special anime screening and cosplay event: film title TBA. Celebrate Halloween with a recent feature-length animated film from Japan, followed by a costume contest. If you like, come in costume as a character inspired by anime, manga, pop culture, music, or your own imagination! Screening will be family friendly and suitable for older children. In Japanese with English subtitles. Approximately two-hour event including screening and costume awards.
November 6 SUCKSEED (directed by Chayanop Boonorakob, Thailand, 2011). Youth making-of-the-band comedy/musical with cameos by Thai rock musicians. In Thai with English subtitles. 130 minutes.
November 20 Special Tibet program: film title TBA. Approximately 100 minutes running time.
