Madison’s Asian American Media Spotlight to Feature Five Films
October 10-11, 2015 at UW-Madison
October 10-11, 2015 at UW-Madison
Madison’s Asian American Media Spotlight is programmed by Lori Kido Lopez, a professor of Communication Arts,
who felt that it was important to create opportunities for screening and engaging with Asian American media in
Wisconsin. She is excited to be able to bring a diverse selection of media—ranging from a science fiction feature
about the interaction between gender and technology, to an investigation of a complicated entanglement between
Hmong Americans and the law, to the role that race can play in the institution of educational testing, to classic films
showcasing the first Asian American actress. “All over the country, Asian American film festivals are working to
broaden exposure to Asian American stories. I wanted audiences in Madison to be able to be a part of that too,” says
Lopez.
Oct 10, 2pm at The Marquee, Union South - Advantageous (2015)
Oct 10, 7pm at Cinematheque, Vilas 4070 - Operation Popcorn (2015), followed by Q & A with director David Grabias
Oct 11, 2pm at the Chazen Art Museum - Dangerous to Know (1938) and Daughter of Shanghai (1937)
Oct 11, 7pm at The Marquee, Union South - Tested (2015), followed by Q & A with director Curtis Chin
who felt that it was important to create opportunities for screening and engaging with Asian American media in
Wisconsin. She is excited to be able to bring a diverse selection of media—ranging from a science fiction feature
about the interaction between gender and technology, to an investigation of a complicated entanglement between
Hmong Americans and the law, to the role that race can play in the institution of educational testing, to classic films
showcasing the first Asian American actress. “All over the country, Asian American film festivals are working to
broaden exposure to Asian American stories. I wanted audiences in Madison to be able to be a part of that too,” says
Lopez.
Oct 10, 2pm at The Marquee, Union South - Advantageous (2015)
Oct 10, 7pm at Cinematheque, Vilas 4070 - Operation Popcorn (2015), followed by Q & A with director David Grabias
Oct 11, 2pm at the Chazen Art Museum - Dangerous to Know (1938) and Daughter of Shanghai (1937)
Oct 11, 7pm at The Marquee, Union South - Tested (2015), followed by Q & A with director Curtis Chin
Madison, WI - The Asian American Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is proud to host
Madison’s Asian American Media Spotlight on Oct 10-11. This event will feature screenings of five films that focus on
Asian Americans and demonstrate the diversity of Asian American experiences and perspectives. Its program includes
one feature film and two documentaries that will each be making their Wisconsin premiere—Advantageous (directed by
Jennifer Pham), Operation Popcorn (directed by David Grabias) and Tested (directed by Curtis Chin). Sunday’s
programming will also feature two recently restored prints of classic films from the 1930s that showcase the talents of
Anna May Wong, the first Asian American leading lady in Hollywood. The screenings will be held at Cinematheque, the
Chazen, and The Marquee at Union South.
Curtis Chin, the director of Tested (Oct. 11 at 7pm, The Marquee), will be traveling to Madison
to participate in a Q & A following the screening of his documentary. Chin, who also directed
the award-winning documentary Vincent Who?, is taking his newest documentary around the
country this year. It discusses the practice of using entrance exams to determine if high
school students in New York City can attend elite high schools—a practice that has
historically been dominated by Asian Americans while excluding Blacks and Latinos. Director
David Grabias will also participate in a Q & A following the screening of his documentary,
Operation Popcorn (Oct. 10 at 7pm, Cinematheque). This film tells the epic story of a Hmong
American community leader who was arrested by the FBI along with 10 other Hmong elders,
and accused of plotting to buy weapons so they could return to Laos and overthrow the
government there. David Grabias is excited to connect with Hmong Americans in Madison
through this film.
to participate in a Q & A following the screening of his documentary. Chin, who also directed
the award-winning documentary Vincent Who?, is taking his newest documentary around the
country this year. It discusses the practice of using entrance exams to determine if high
school students in New York City can attend elite high schools—a practice that has
historically been dominated by Asian Americans while excluding Blacks and Latinos. Director
David Grabias will also participate in a Q & A following the screening of his documentary,
Operation Popcorn (Oct. 10 at 7pm, Cinematheque). This film tells the epic story of a Hmong
American community leader who was arrested by the FBI along with 10 other Hmong elders,
and accused of plotting to buy weapons so they could return to Laos and overthrow the
government there. David Grabias is excited to connect with Hmong Americans in Madison
through this film.