MoMA Presents
ContemporAsian
Bends
Written and directed by Flora Lau
With Carina Lau, Chen Kun, Tian Yuan.
Hong Kong, 2013, 97 minutes
In Cantonese, Mandarin; English subtitles
When: April 21–27, 2014
Where: Museum of Modern Art
The seventh season of the Museum of Modern Art's ContemporAsian film series will begin next Monday with a one week run of Flora Lau’s classical drama, which debuted in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section. The film is a two-character piece in which each personifies the differences between Hong Kong and mainland China, and their somewhat uneasy coexistence.
A wealthy Hong Kong housewife, Anna, lives a spoiled, bored life. When her husband suddenly leaves, taking the money and prestige with him, she refuses to accept her changed circumstances. Her chauffeur, Fai, who lives in an ugly barrack across the border in Shenzhen, is trying to get his wife—whose second pregnancy is a violation of the Chinese one- child policy—over the border so she can give birth in Hong Kong. With beautiful camera work by the incomparable Christopher Doyle, the film’s elegant look and languorous rhythms create an affecting reflection of the characters’ emotional isolation. As they become increasingly desperate, the sharp distinctions between their two worlds become ever clearer. In Cantonese, Mandarin; English subtitles
Schedule:
Monday, April 21 at 7:00 - at this screening the film will be introduced by director Lau, who will also participate in a post-screening discussion
Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00
Wednesday, April 23 at 4:00
Thursday, April 24 at 4:00
Friday, April 25 at 7:00
Saturday, April 26 at 4:00
Sunday, April 27 at 5:00
