Happy Lunar New Year from the USC US-China Institute!
The Fourth Portrait
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston presents a films by director Di Si Zhang Hua.
Where
In an interesting detour from 2008’s delightfully quirky Parking, Chung Mong-hong’s second feature is the bittersweet study of ten-year-old Xiang. In the tradition of Empire of the Sun, and The 400 Blows, Xiang faces a lonely future after his father dies, until his estranged mother unexpectedly shows up at the orphanage. But living with his mother and his brutal stepfather, Xiang has a fragile home environment at best. The perceptive and inquisitive boy finds comfort in drawing, which allows him to express his innermost thoughts. The Fourth Portrait paints a picture of the life of a young boy struggling to find his place in a world of poverty and domestic violence.
The film won the Best Director and Best Supporting Actress prizes at the 2010 Golden Horse Awards, the Chinese-language film industry's biggest event.
Featured Articles
We note the passing of many prominent individuals who played some role in U.S.-China affairs, whether in politics, economics or in helping people in one place understand the other.
Events
Ying Zhu looks at new developments for Chinese and global streaming services.
David Zweig examines China's talent recruitment efforts, particularly towards those scientists and engineers who left China for further study. U.S. universities, labs and companies have long brought in talent from China. Are such people still welcome?