Asian CineVision with Asia Society, in partnership with NYU’s Asian/Pacific/American Institute, proudly announces New Landscapes: Media and its Adaptations, an inaugural interdisciplinary series of panels, discussions, and events exploring new visions in Asian and Asian American media, culture, and politics. Artists, intellectuals, and filmmakers will engage in conversations that forecast the frontier of contemporary society.
All panels take place at the Asia Society, 725 Park Ave @ 70th St.

China and the Environment

The speed of China’s economic growth has resulted in severe damage to its environment. The pollution resulting from the unprecedented industrial and urban expansion has catapulted cancer to a leading cause of death, rendered the water undrinkable, and the air unsafe to breathe. As New York Times reporters Joseph Kahn and Jim Yardley write, “China has entered the most robust stage of its industrial revolution, even as much of the outside world has become preoccupied with global warming.” As the 2008 Summer Olympics convene in Beijing, this diverse panel representing the worlds of art and policy will discuss industrial growth in the 21st century and how film and cultural representations can help build awareness and encourage global change.

Panelists: Orville Schell (Arthur Ross Director of the Center for U.S.-China Relations, Asia Society), Michael Zhao (Asia Society Center for U.S.-China Relations), Mathieu Borysevich (photographer) Moderator: Julie Sze (associate professor, American studies, UC Davis)
Sat 7.12 | 615P | NLCHIN

Documentary Subject, Female Gaze

Women’s innovation has galvanized the field of documentary filmmaking, turning an astute and unflinching eye on their subjects. This year, the Asian American International Film Festival will present different documentaries exploring politics and humanity: artists working amidst political unrest in Peru to Japanese kamikaze pilots coping with a complex past. These women filmmakers take their cameras abroad to portray the difficulties of confronting political and social distress, specifically how politics play out in interconnected notions of masculinity, nationalism, and resistance.

Panelists: Risa Morimoto (director, WINGS OF DEFEAT), Ann Kaneko (director, AGAINST THE GRAIN), Mirjam van Veelen (director, MEGUMI) Moderator: Anne del Castillo (director of development and special projects, P.O.V/American Documentary)
Thu 7.17 | 645P | NLDOCU

Extra Lives: Intersections of Video Games and Film

Over the past two decades, video games have come to occupy an integral share of our visual media vocabulary. From moving dots (Pong) to visceral melodrama (Metal Gear Solid series), games are evolving to incorporate highly sophisticated film-like narratives. Films created using game engines and real-time graphics, known as Machinima, have emerged as an inexpensive, readily accessible way to tell stories. Likewise, popular films such as PAN’S LABYRINTH and SPEED RACER use the rapid-fire action and puzzle solving conventions so typical of video games. The panel will explore the intersections of film and video games, popular examples of their convergence, and what it means for the future of both media.

Panelists: Albert Dang (producer, Hyper Awesome Entertainment), Matt Dominianni (Machinima filmmaker, producer of Trash Trash, machinima talk show), Damon Iannuzzelli (senior character artist, Conduit Labs) Moderator: Raina Lee, M.A. (editor, 1up-zine.com)
Sun 7.13 | 345P | ASEXTR

New York Geographies

Compared to the sterile and sprawling landscapes of Los Angeles, the intimate and tightly-woven geography of New York has long served as inspiration for filmmakers from Woody Allen to Michael Kang. How do New York filmmakers and those in the industry navigate the varied spaces and multitude of overlapping communities? From subterranean passageways to rooftop gardens, our panelists will discuss how they represent and express their love for this extraordinary city.

Panelists: Karin Chien (producer, SANTA MESA), Paul J.Q. Lee (consultant on Chinatown
and Chinese locations), David Moy (supervisor of field operations, Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting), Ed Radtke (director, SPEED OF LIFE) Moderator: Ron Simon (curator, Paley Center for Media—Museum of Radio & Television)
Sat 7.12 | 100P | NLNEWY

On Asian/American Aesthetics

As cultural borders contest geopolitical boundaries, this panel will grapple with the question of Asian aesthetics. As Asian art, and cinema in particular, garners increasing attention globally for its innovative narrative and visual forms, its role remains in dispute regarding whether and how it challenges the public to rethink assumptions of Asian aesthetics and culture.

Panelists: David Henry Hwang (playwright), Mary Ping (fashion designer), Billie Tsien (architect), Wayne Wang (director, PRINCESS OF NEBRASKA) Moderator: Dennis Lim (film critic)
Sat 7.12 | 345P | NLASIA

One On One with Jessica Yu

Oscar-winner Jessica Yu entered filmmaking through the world of documentaries with award-winning projects such as BREATHING LESSONS, PROTAGAINST, and IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL. She has demonstrated wider talents, expanding her directorial repertoire to include television and commercial spots. This year marks her narrative feature debut with the AAIFF08 Closing Night Presentation, the hilarious comedy PING PONG PLAYA.

In this intimate discussion, Yu will discuss the creative process in transitioning from the types of film that she has widely become known for—those dealing with disability, outsider artists, and extremists—to a light-hearted comedy. She will explore the ability of the moving image to be simultaneously socially conscientious, commercial, critical, and above all, fun.
Moderator: Andrew Hsiao (executive editor, The New Press)
Sat 7.19 | 145P | NLONEO

Please check back for an updated list of panelists and new events.