Films with: Chen, Joan

China--unleashing the dragon

Documentary chronicling the transformation of China, from its initiation by Deng Xiaoping, to the economic, social and cultural realities of today's China. Pt.1 examines Deng's role in shaping the reformed China; pt.2 looks at the impact of economic and generational lines; pt.3 illustrates how changing values and economic pressures are influencing popular culture and long-standing cultural institutions; pt.4 examines what may lie ahead for China and Hong Kong and how it will interact with the international cultural and economic community.

DVD 12352

Er shi si cheng ji

A documentary film on the state-owned Factory 420, also called the Chengdu Engine Group, which was founded in 1958 to produce aviation engines. Now abandoned, the factory is sold for millions to real estate developers to be transformed into a complex of luxury apartment blocks called 24 City. The film revolves around eight dramatic interviews that present three generations with ties to the factory: the first factory workers, more recent employees, and the children of former laborers. Woven into this oral history are three fictional monologues delivered by actors.

DVD 10191

Heaven & earth

The true story of a man who fought, a woman who endured, and a love caught up in the war in Vietnam.

DVD 2191

Last emperor

The true story of Pu Yi, who, at the age of 3, toddled to the Imperial Dragon Throne to become "Lord of 10,000 Years," China's last emperor.

DVD 416

Saving face

Wilhelmina is a Chinese-American lesbian and a young surgeon who has kept her sexual orientation secret from her conservative Chinese community in New York. But when her widowed mother becomes pregnant and is kicked out by her own parents, Wil suddenly has to juggle her mother's secrets with her own. Wil has a new romance with Vivian who is a ballet dancer and the daughter of Wil's boss.

DVD 4817

Saving face

Wilhelmina is a Chinese-American lesbian and a young surgeon who has kept her sexual orientation secret from her conservative Chinese community in New York. But when her widowed mother becomes pregnant and is kicked out by her own parents, Wil suddenly has to juggle her mother's secrets with her own.

DVD 13491

Se, jie Lust, caution /

Set Japanese-occupied Shanghai, a young woman finds herself swept up in a radical plot to assassinate a ruthless and secretive intelligence agent. As she immerses herself in her role as a cosmopolitan seductress, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue, love and betrayal.

DVD 5481

Twin Peaks the first season /

"The body of a young girl (Laura Palmer) is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul"--Douglas Baptie, Internet Movie Database.

DVD 1533

Xiàng rì kúi Sunflower /

A look at the life of an urban Chinese family, and the battle of wills between father and son to do what's right or to do what the heart wants.

DVD 5698

Xiu Xiu The sent down girl /

Between 1967 and 1976, nearly 8 million Chinese youths were "sent down" for specialized training to the remotest corners of the country. The young and beautiful Xiu Xiu dreamt of becoming a horse trainer in Tibet, far away from her busy city home. Her training begins in the isolated plains of Tibet but slowly Xiu Xiu discovers that she is unlikely to ever see her home again without a wealthy sponsor. Her world becomes a horrifying cage, where "patrons" promise her escape in exchange for her sexual compromise.

DVD 655

You zeng Temptation of a monk /

Set in 7th century China, it tells the story of a young general who is betrayed and forced to take refuge in a Buddhist temple in order to confront his mistakes.

DVD 690