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 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 first 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 Spring 2012 is listed below.
Information on past screenings:Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010,
Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011
* Subject to change, please check scheduled dates below.
AsiaLENS Spring 2012 Calendar:
Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Urbana Free Library
210 W. Green Street, Urbana
The Red Chapel
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Champaign Public Library
200 W. Green Street, Champaign
ANPO: ART x WAR
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Urbana Free Library
210 W. Green Street, Urbana
Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement
by
Duncan Jepson. 2007. 89 minutes.
In Mandarin and English with English subtitles.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Discussion led by Rayvon Fouché (Associate Professor, History, UI)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL
Discussion led by Carlos Hernandez (President, Urbana-Champaign Hip Hop Congress)
Description:
As China’s modern society changes from communism to consumerism, a new urban youth movement has emerged with a greater sense of freedom and optimism unknown in their parent’s generation. By highlighting successful and independent artists from China’s national Hip-Hop scene, Duncan Jepson’s film Follow Your Heart illustrates how this globally connected generation of Chinese youth has embraced technology, art, and consumer culture to express individuality in ways that clash with both traditional and modern Chinese values.
Resources:
Official website:
Third World Newsreel
Contains a synopsis of the film, trailer, and purchasing information.
Reviews:
Educational Media Reviews
Asia Pacific Arts
The Red Chapel
by Mads Brügger. 2009. 88 minutes.
In Danish and English with English Subtitles.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 -7:00 pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL
Discussion led by Youngji Jeon (Doctoral Student, Department of Theatre, UI)
Description:
Danish journalist, television host and author Mads Brügger lead Jacob and Simon, two adoptees from North Korea, on a cultural exchange visit to the land of their birth under the guise of a comedic theatre troupe called “The Red Chapel”. This edgy documentary film chronicles the absurd encounters between the North Korean hosts and the company members who are now confronting their biological roots, all while preparing to perform a comedy variety show in an absolute surveillance society.
Resources:
Official website: The Red Chapel
Contains a synopsis of the film, trailer, and director information.
The film can be purchased at Kino International.
Reviews:
The Hollywood Review
Variety
ANPO: ART x WAR
by Linda Hoaglund. 2010. 89 minutes.
In Japanese with English Subtitles.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 7:00pm
Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL
Introduction by Jason Finkelman (Asian Educational Media Service)
Post-screening, online discussion with filmmaker Linda Hoaglund.
Description:
Signed in 1960 amidst public resentment that erupted in massive popular demonstrations, ANPO refers to the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, which permits the continued presence of numerous U.S. military bases in Japan today. ANPO: Art x War reveals the story of resistance to these U.S. military bases through the lens of Japanese artists, by way of interviews and a collage of their extraordinary large scale paintings, drawings, photographs, anime, and films, some of which have long been hidden from public view.
Resources:
Offical Website: ANPO: Art x War
Contains a trailer, filmmaker and artist bios, press reviews, and news.
ANPO: Art x War is distributed by New Day Films.
Last Updated January 9, 2012.
