AsiaLENS
AEMS Documentary and Independent Film Series
at the Spurlock Museum
AsiaLENS is a series of free public film screenings and lecture / discussion programs -- organized by AEMS in collaboration with the Spurlock Museum -- presenting recent documentary and independent films on issues reflecting contemporary life in Asia.
Local and visiting experts introduce the films and lead audiences in post-screening discussions.
All AsiaLENS screenings are FREE and open to the public every second Tuesday* of the month during Fall and Spring semesters at the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois.
The Spurlock Museum is located at 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL.
Second screenings of AsiaLENS films are screened at The Urbana Free Library and The Champaign Public Library. See schedule below.
Full schedule for Fall 2012 is listed below.
Information on past screenings:Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010,
Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012
* Subject to change, please check scheduled dates below.
AsiaLENS Fall 2012 Calendar:
A Grandpa From Brazil
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
When China Met Africa
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
Pinoy Sunday
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
A Grandpa From Brazil
by Nanako Kurihara. 2008/2011. 60 minutes.
In Japanese and Portuguese with English subtitles.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Introduction by Renato F. L. Azevedo, M.S. (Graduate Assistant - Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, UI).
Online post-screening discussion with filmmaker Nanako Kurihara.
Encore Screening:
Thursday, September 20, 2012 - 7:00 pm (encore screening)
Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL
Discussion led by Renato F. L. Azevedo, M.S. (Graduate Assistant - Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, UI).
Description:
A Grandpa from Brazil focuses on the journey of Ken’ichi Konno, a 92-year-old Japanese man who immigrated to Brazil in 1931. In telling Ken’ichi’s story, the film illustrates the history of Japanese emigration to Brazil through personal reflections brought to mind while visiting landmark sites of his youth. During Ken’ichi’s trip back to Japan he visits friends from Brazil who are members of the current tide of “reverse” immigrants: Brazilians of Japanese descent who have moved to Japan in recent years to fill job vacancies created by that nation’s labor shortages, this touching documentary reveals the challenges these new immigrants face.
Reviews:
The Japan Times Online
Kyodo News
When China Met Africa
by Marc and Nick Francis. 2011. 75 minutes.
In Chinese with English Subtitles.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 -7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Encore Screening:
Thursday, October 25, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL
Screenings co-sponsored by The Center for African Studies, UI.
Discussion led by Parfait Gasana, M.S. candidate Economics, UI and member of African Students Organization.
Description:
As an expanding global power, China has encouraged its corporations and entrepreneurs over the past decade to look to Africa for investment opportunities. This has accelerated China's engagement throughout the African continent in securing resources and raw materials for their booming economy.
This relationship between China and Africa is examined in the documentary When China Met Africa by focusing on three individuals: a successful Chinese farm owner who has just bought his fourth farm in Africa; a Chinese project manager working to upgrade Zambia’s longest road; and Zambia’s Trade Minister, who is on his way to China in search of investment capital. Meanwhile, in Beijing, 48 African heads of state converge for a historic summit hosted by China’s president Hu Jintao.
Resources:
Official website: When China Met Africa
Contains a synopsis of the film, trailer, and director information.
The film can be purchased at Bullfrog Films.
Reviews:
The Guardian
The Economist
Asian Educational Media Service
Pinoy Sunday
by Wi Ding Ho. 2009. 100 minutes.
In Tagalog, Taiwanese, Mandarin and English with English Subtitles.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 - 7:00pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Encore Screening:
Sunday, November 18, 2012 - 3:00pm
Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL
Discussion led by Constancio Arnaldo, PhD candidate Anthropology, UI.
Description:
In the award-winning, independent film Pinoy Sunday, director Wi Ding Ho tells the story of two Filipino migrant workers and their journey across Taipei. When factory workers Manuel and Dado find an abandoned couch on the sidewalk it begins a day of misadventures and chance encounters as they attempt to carry their prize back to their cramped dormitory. In the course of their travels they meet a cast of characters representative of the various means of life in an industrializing city, as well as find moments of respite during which they reminisce about the homeland they have left behind for new opportunities. Wi Ding Ho deftly puts a light touch on a story about the difficult realities of overseas foreign workers in Taipei.
Resources:
Offical Website: Pinoy Sunday
Contains a trailer, filmmaker and artist bios, press reviews, and news.
Reviews:
Twitch Film
Taipei Times
Last Updated July 27, 2012.
