Arts & Culture: Bakotopia

Up the Yangtze

FLICS presents Up The Yangtze. Take a cruise in China.

Dir: Yung Chang, Canada, 2008, 93 min, PG

In China, it is simply known as 'The River.' But the Yangtze and all of the life that surrounds it is undergoing an astonishing transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history, the Three Gorges Dam. Chinese-Canadian director Yung Chang returns to the gorgeous, now-disappearing landscape of his grandfathers youth to trace the surreal life of a farewell cruise that traverses the gargantuan waterway. With a humanist gaze and wry wit Chang’s Upstairs Downstairs approach captures the microcosmic society of the luxury liner. Below deck: a bewildered young girl trains as a dishwasher sent to work by her peasant family, who is on the verge of relocation from the encroaching flood waters. Above deck: wealthy international tourists set sail to catch a last glance of a country in dramatic flux. The teenage employees who serve and entertain them tagged with new Westernized names like Cindy and Jerry by upper management warily grasp at the prospect of a better future. "Up the Yangtze" gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large. In English, Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles.

Call Phil Neufeld at 661 325-4815 for info.

www.flics.org

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The Flight of the Red Balloon

FLICS presents The Flight of the Red Balloon

Dir: Hou Hsiao-Hsien, France, 2007, 113 min, PG

Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien (Three Times) turns the details of everyday life to poetry in his tribute to Lamorisse’s 1956 classic short The Red Balloon. Juliette Binoche stars as a single Parisian mother who, overwhelmed by the complications of modern daily life, employs a Taiwanese film student as her son’s babysitter. As the babysitter and young child explore the streets and cafés of the city, they begin to share an imaginary world where a mysterious red balloon affectionately follows them wherever they go. In French with English subtitles.

Plus The original 1956 classic short film:

The Red Balloon Dir: Albert Lamorisse, France, 1956, 34 min, G

Albert Lamorisse's exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children's films of all time. In this deceptively simple, nearly wordless tale, a young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable, yet the world's harsh realities finally interfere. With its glorious palette and allegorical purity, the Academy Award winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers, young and old, for generations. In French with English subtitles.

Divided Highway at Harley Davidson, Merle Haggard Blvd.

Come out to The Harley Davidson Store on Merle Haggard Blvd. for the MDA run. This is a huge event and it is for a great cause. For more info call Susan at (661)619-4512. We would really like to see you all there!!!