Due to ongoing restrictions on social gatherings, we will not be meeting in person and viewing the films together as we did before. Instead, we’ll be running this program like a book club: you watch the selected film at your own leisure, then join the other participants on Zoom at 7pm on the last Monday of each month. These online sessions will consist of a 20-25 minute period where several general questions about the film are discussed, followed by a 7-8 minute breakout session into smaller groups. Most movies are available free on Kanopy.com. Kanopy can be accessed through a web browser, Roku, or a smart t.v. A Kanopy login account requires a library card.

Let yourself be transported back to the early 20th century when U.S. Chinatowns were compulsory residential zones for Chinese immigrants and their families who were trying to “make it” while having to negotiate daily life in cramped quarters. Artist Frank Wong makes it easy: for the past 40 years he’s been creating three-dimensional miniature dioramas of shops, restaurants, living rooms, studio apartments, kitchens, etc., in order to preserve his memories of growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown. This film is a journey through Frank’s life as he describes how it has unfolded and what is important to him today. Upon his death, he plans to have all his works cremated so that he can live in them forever, thus the liberal inclusion of fantasy elements in them all.

The Northwest China Council's Movie Night is a program to promote better understanding of Chinese history, culture, and current affairs. Please consider supporting its programming at www.nwchina.org.