AEMS: Events

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 and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies in collaboration with 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.

Fall 2018, screenings will be presented on the second Thursdays of September, October, and November at Spurlock Museum, located at 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL.

**PLEASE NOTE** Screening times have changed to second Thursdays at 7p.

Full schedule for Fall 2018 is listed below.

Information on past screenings:Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018

AsiaLENS Upcoming Fall 2018 Calendar:

Forgive - Don't Forget
Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL

Art In Smog
Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana IL

Mrs. B., A North Korean Woman
Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL

Forgive - Don't Forget
A film by Brad Bennett, Jonah Guelzo, Austin Journey, Paul Ufema.
2016. 71 minutes.
In English and Japanese with English subtitles.

Online, post-screening discussion with one of the filmmakers.

Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 7pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL

Description:

During Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, numerous swords were confiscated by American Officers. To better understand the past and build a bridge between cultures in the present, a filmmaker attempts to return one of these surrendered swords to its original owner.

Resources:
View a trailer of the film here.
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures.

Art In Smog
Directed by Lydia Chen.
2018. 75 minutes.

Post-screening discussion with filmmaker Lydia Chen.

Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 7pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL

Description:

Vivid art merges with intimate interviews to evoke the human pursuit of meaning. This film illustrates the rise of China over 25 years as experienced by international artists Su Xinping and Xia Xiaowan, painter and antiques expert Mushi, fearless curator Cui Cancan, and painter Chen Hui. The pursuit of art takes them from quiet lives in the 1990s to the extremes of the 2000s, as documented in footage shot in 1991 and 2016.

Resources:
View a trailer of the film here.
Art In Smog website

Mrs. B., A North Korean Woman
Directed by Jero Yun.
2016. 71 minutes.

Introduction and post-screening discussion TBD

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 7pm
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL

Description:
In 2003, Mrs. B. left her husband and two sons behind in North Korea and was sold into marriage. A decade later, she's running a robust trafficking business from a small farm in northern China. This film is a closely observed verite portrait of a world-weary woman who finds herself between countries, worlds, and families. The result is a powerful look at the mundane realities of life for both trafficker and trafficked, overturning cliched notions about a mysterious trade.

Resources:
View a trailer of the film here.
Distributed by Icarus Films.

Last Updated August 16, 2018.


	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 and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies in collaboration with 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. Fall 2018, screenings will be presented on the second Thursdays of September, October, and November at Spurlock Museum, located at 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL. PLEASE NOTE Screening times have changed to second Thursdays at 7p. Full schedule for Fall 2018 is listed below. Information on past screenings:Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018 AsiaLENS Upcoming Fall 2018 Calendar: Forgive - Don't Forget Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 7:00 pm Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL *Art In Smog* Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 7:00 pm Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana IL *Mrs. B., A North Korean Woman* Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 7:00 pm Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL Forgive - Don't Forget A film by Brad Bennett, Jonah Guelzo, Austin Journey, Paul Ufema. 2016. 71 minutes. In English and Japanese with English subtitles. Online, post-screening discussion with one of the filmmakers. Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 7pm Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL Description: During Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, numerous swords were confiscated by American Officers. To better understand the past and build a bridge between cultures in the present, a filmmaker attempts to return one of these surrendered swords to its original owner. Resources: View a trailer of the film here. Distributed by Gravitas Ventures. Art In Smog Directed by Lydia Chen. 2018. 75 minutes. Post-screening discussion with filmmaker Lydia Chen. Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 7pm Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL Description: Vivid art merges with intimate interviews to evoke the human pursuit of meaning. This film illustrates the rise of China over 25 years as experienced by international artists Su Xinping and Xia Xiaowan, painter and antiques expert Mushi, fearless curator Cui Cancan, and painter Chen Hui. The pursuit of art takes them from quiet lives in the 1990s to the extremes of the 2000s, as documented in footage shot in 1991 and 2016. Resources: View a trailer of the film here. Art In Smog website Mrs. B., A North Korean Woman Directed by Jero Yun. 2016. 71 minutes. Introduction and post-screening discussion TBD Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 7pm Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL Description: In 2003, Mrs. B. left her husband and two sons behind in North Korea and was sold into marriage. A decade later, she's running a robust trafficking business from a small farm in northern China. This film is a closely observed verite portrait of a world-weary woman who finds herself between countries, worlds, and families. The result is a powerful look at the mundane realities of life for both trafficker and trafficked, overturning cliched notions about a mysterious trade. Resources: View a trailer of the film here. Distributed by Icarus Films. Last Updated August 16, 2018.		In This Section: AsiaLENS Series AAS Film Expo AAS-in-Asia Film Expo ICAS Film Expo News Asian Film Festival Discussions with Filmmakers Educator Events Other AEMS Film Screenings AsiaLENS Screenings: Upcoming Spring 2021 __________________________ Edo Avant Garde Online viewing: Friday, Feb 19, 5p through Friday, Feb 26, 5p Online filmmaker discussion: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 4 pm (registration required) __________________________ Finding Yingying Online viewing: Friday, Apr 2, 5p through Friday, Apr 9, 5p Online filmmaker discussion: Tuesday, April 6, 2021 5 pm (registration required) __________________________ All AsiaLENS online screenings and discussion programs are FREE and open to the public. co-sponsored by: Spurlock Museum