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  ART

CHINA

Ancient China     (50 minutes)
From the creation legend of Pan Ku to the demise of the Han Dynasty, this program traces Chinese history and explores the roots of Chinese culture today. Visit the Great Wall if China as scholars discuss why it remains even today a symbol of oppression, exemplified in the legend of the weeping woman; the Imperial Palace and how it exemplifies Chinese beliefs in harmony; and the Beijing Opera, whose works are an elaborate retelling of traditional folktales. The influences of Buddhism, ancestor worship, and Taoism in China are also discussed, along with stunning footage of the Buddhist caves and the Terra Cotta Army.
<Purchase $129 / Rental $75> 
[FHS]

China's Cosmopolitan Age: The Tang (1993)     (60 minutes)
Written and produced by Professor Chung-wen Shih, examines the golden age of  Chinese culture.  During the Tang dynasty (seventh-ninth centuries), China was remarkably open to foreign trade and ideas.  It was great era for music, dance, poetry, and art and represented the period in Chinese history where Buddhism had its greatest influence. Parts of the documentary are extraordinary, but its pacing is uneven. There is a review of this film in Education About Asia (v. 2 n.1, spring 1997). 
<Available for [IU] rental: $12.45; Also available from PBS>

Chinese Art: Treasures of the National Palace Museum     (41 minutes)
This program spotlights 33 works of Chinese art seldom ever seen outside of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Spanning approximately 5,000 years of history, this diverse collection of pieces includes a Neolithic pottery jar; bronze fangzun and fangyi vessels from the late Shang-early Zhou period; a bronze ding vessel from the Late Western Zhou period; a Tang figurine in sacai glaze; a Ming cup in doucai enamels; and a Qing cylindrical curio cabinet. Displayed in chronological order and shown from numerous angles, these cultural artifacts comprise an indispensable educational resource for art history and Asian studies curriculums. Access points, provided in index forms, make locating each artifact easy. 
<Purchase $129/ Rental $75> 
[FHS]

Heart of the Dragon, The
Produced by Peter Montagnon and a British film crew in 1981-1983 and originally broadcast in the US in 1985, this twelve hour series features outstanding looks at everyday life in rural and urban China.  The crew had remarkable access and  examined the full range of human activity.  Programs include: 
   -Remembering  (interaction between tradition and modernity)
   -Eating (agriculture, food, festivals), Living (village life)
   -Believing (Confucianism, Buddhism, and  Daoism's persistence in China)
   -Caring (mental health treatment)
   -Marrying (rural marriage, ceremonies, and celebrations)
   -Mediating  (divorce)
   -Working (industrial labor)
   -Correcting (law, courts, and punishment)
   -Creating (art, music)
   -Understanding (science, ecology)
   -Trading (economic  development, foreign trade)
Though some segments are a bit dated  (particularly those dealing with economic matters), this remains  the best comprehensive series on contemporary China.  A series of 26 half-hour lessons has been recently constructed from the original  programs along with new presentations from specialists.  This series is called "The Chinese." [PBS]  The University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies has published two editions of "The Chinese" to accompany the series and there are also student and teacher guides available.

Silk Road, The
Two sets of six one hour videos.  These programs explore the art, history and culture of China and Central Asia.  The Silk Road linked Europe and China and was travelled by Marco Polo.  1992 production of Chinese Central Television and Japan's NHK. Two sets:
   -Set I: 
       -Glories of Ancient Chang'an
       -One Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River
       -Art Gallery in the Desert (Dunhuang)
       -The Dark Castle; In Search of the Kingdom of Loulan
       -Across the Taklamakan Desert.
   -Set II: Khotan: 
       -Oasis of Silk and Jade
       -A Heat Wave Called Turfan
       -Through the Tian Shan Mountains by Rail
       -Journey Into Music -- South Through the Tian Shan Mountains
       -Where Horses Fly Like the Wind
       -Two Roads to the Pamirs.  
<These videos are available from the Indiana University film library ($12.15 each)>
[CT, F, and PBS]

Swing in Beijing (2000)     (73 minutes)
Shui-bo Wang ("Sunrise Over Tiananmen Square") examines the contemporary art scene in China, discussing censorship, fading support for the arts, and the questionable value of Western recognition.
<Purchase: $440/Rental: $100> 
[FRIF] 

INDIA

Munni     (20 minutes)
Life of a young girl learning the traditional art of Mithali painting in a Bihari village.

JAPAN

Living Treasures of Japan     (60 minutes)
A National Geographic film on Japanese artists considered masters of traditional arts and crafts. 
<$20> 
[F]

KOREA

Discovering the Art of Korea     (58 minutes)
Surveys Korean art and culture, beginning with prehistoric work and moving into the current era. Draws on the National Museum of Korea's "5000 Years of Korean Art" exhibition. 
<$90>  
[FHS]

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  CALLIGRAPHY

JAPAN

Shodo: The Path of Writing (1980)     (30 minutes)
This film examines Japanese calligraphy, its history and role in the culture.
<$30> 
[CT]

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  DANCE

CHINA

China's Cosmopolitan Age: The Tang (1993)     (60 minutes)
Written and produced by Professor Chung-wen Shih, examines the golden age of  Chinese culture.  During the Tang dynasty (seventh-ninth centuries), China was remarkably open to foreign trade and ideas.  It was great era for music, dance, poetry, and art and represented the period in Chinese history where Buddhism had its greatest influence. Parts of the documentary are extraordinary, but its pacing is uneven. There is a review of this film in Education About Asia (v. 2 n.1, spring 1997). 
<Available for [IU] rental: $12.45; Also available from PBS>

INDONESIA

Only in Indonesia: Arts and Culture     (30 minutes)
The melting pot of southeast Asia, includes Hindu temple remains and dances.   
[CC]

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  FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

JAPAN

Principles and Practice of Zen, The     (100 minutes)
Explains the process leading to satori.  Includes coverage of tea ceremony, flower arranging and other aspects of Zen culture. 
<$159>  
[FHS]

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  GEISHA

JAPAN

Written Face, The  (1995)     (89 minutes)
Tamasaburo BANDO is a distinguished Kabuki actor who specializes in women's roles. This film has four acts proceeding simultaneously and includes segments featuring geisha and film performers discussing this fading aspect of Japanese culture.  Daniel Smid, director.
<Purchase: $440/Rental $100> 
[FRIF] 

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  LITERATURE

CHINA

China's Cosmopolitan Age: The Tang (1993)     (60 minutes)
Written and produced by Professor Chung-wen Shih, examines the golden age of  Chinese culture.  During the Tang dynasty (seventh-ninth centuries), China was remarkably open to foreign trade and ideas.  It was great era for music, dance, poetry, and art and represented the period in Chinese history where Buddhism had its greatest influence. Parts of the documentary are extraordinary, but its pacing is uneven. There is a review of this film in Education About Asia (v. 2 n.1, spring 1997). 
<Available for [IU] rental: $12.45; Also available from PBS>

JAPAN

Animated Classics of Japanese Literature
These are in Japanese with English subtitles.  Three collections:
   -Collection 1 (1994)     (285 minutes)
     -The Izu Dancer
     -The Dancing Girl
     -The Harp of Burma (Parts 1 & 2)
     -The Season of the Sun, Student Days
     -The Grave of the Wild Chrysanthemum
     -A Ghost Story
     -The Theater of Life
     -Wandering Days
     -Growing Up
   -Collection 2 (1994)     (312 minutes)
     -The Sound of the Waves (Parts 1 & 2)
     -Sanshiro
     -The Judoist (Parts 1,2 & 3)
     -The Wind Rises/The Fruit of Olympus
     -Asunaro Story/The Story of Koyasu Dog
     -A Walker in the Attic/A Psychological Test/A Red Room.
   -Collection 3    (260 minutes)
     -Botchan (Parts 1 & 2)
     -A Roadside Stone (Parts 1 & 2)
     -The Tale of Shunkin/Friendship
     -The Incident in the Bedroom Suburb
     -Voice From Heaven
     -The Martyr/The Priest of Mt. Kouya.
Each collection is $120 [CT]

Illustrated Handscroll: The Tale of Genji     (60 minutes)
The world's first novel was written by a woman, Murasaki Shikibu, in the eleventh century. This video follows the story as it is depicted on a series of handscroll panels.  
[FHS]

Tale of Genji, The (1991)    (110 minutes)
This is an animated telling of the classic 11th century story. 
<$15> 

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  MARTIAL ARTS

CHINA

Electric Shadows (1993)     (30 minutes)
This film looks at a team of film projectionists who travel rural Sichuan presenting films. Film fare has changed with the political changes in China. Now the projectionists show martial arts films and other crowd pleasers. Herve and Renaud Cohen, filmmakers. 
<Purchase: $225/Rental $50> 
[FRIF] 

JAPAN

Budo Sai: The Spirit of the Samurai     (70 minutes)
Twelve martial arts masters demonstrate their skills and mental discipline at the Budo Sai festival.
<$149/$75>  
[FHS]

Japan
Four hour series hosted by Jane Seymour (yes, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”).
   The Electronic Tribe
       -Contrasts between industrial life and traditional work and life.
   The Legacy of the Shogun
       -Legacy of Tokugawa values in economic success social structure.
   The Sword and the Chrysanthemum
       -The paradox of the martial and aesthetic sides of the samurai.
   A Proper Place in the World
       -Discussion of the world role to be played by Japan. 

Samurai Japan     (48 minutes)
From their ascension to power in the 13th century to the unconditional surrender of Japan at the end of World War II, the Samurai, with their code of virtue and discipline, created a society that prized one's honor over one's life. In this program, scholars discuss the unique influence that this created and the impact of the Samurai on Japan's institutions and history, including the role of women in political alliances. Also discussed in Japan's shift from feudalism to a bureaucratic and cosmopolitan society, symbolically ruled by the emperor and administered by shoguns. 
<Purchase $129/ Rental $75>   
[FHS]

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  MUSIC

CHINA

China Kaleidoscope
This series was put together by Nan Hai Arts Center from Chinese television news  magazine shows.  It provides an opportunity to get a Chinese perspective on Chinese  life.  There are four tapes available, each 50 minutes long.  Contact Nan Hai for a  detailed list of subjects on the various tapes.  For example, Tape 1 includes Beijing's  Markets, The Water Shortage in Xi'an, Life in a Chinese Village, the Li Yuan Theater  in Beijing, China's Pop Stars Go On Tour, Fashion in Beijing, Women Police Officers  in Training, and more.  The tapes are in mandarin with English subtitles.  
<Each is $34.95; the set is $125.82>

China's Cosmopolitan Age: The Tang (1993)     (60 minutes)
Written and produced by Professor Chung-wen Shih, examines the golden age of  Chinese culture.  During the Tang dynasty (seventh-ninth centuries), China was remarkably open to foreign trade and ideas.  It was great era for music, dance, poetry, and art and represented the period in Chinese history where Buddhism had its greatest influence. Parts of the documentary are extraordinary, but its pacing is uneven. There is a review of this film in Education About Asia (v. 2 n.1, spring 1997). 
<Available for [IU] rental: $12.45; Also available from PBS>

Heart of the Dragon, The
Produced by Peter Montagnon and a British film crew in 1981-1983 and originally broadcast in the US in 1985, this twelve hour series features outstanding looks at everyday life in rural and urban China.  The crew had remarkable access and  examined the full range of human activity.  Programs include: 
   -Remembering  (interaction between tradition and modernity)
   -Eating (agriculture, food, festivals), Living (village life)
   -Believing (Confucianism, Buddhism, and  Daoism's persistence in China)
   -Caring (mental health treatment)
   -Marrying (rural marriage, ceremonies, and celebrations)
   -Mediating  (divorce)
   -Working (industrial labor)
   -Correcting (law, courts, and punishment)
   -Creating (art, music)
   -Understanding (science, ecology)
   -Trading (economic  development, foreign trade)
Though some segments are a bit dated  (particularly those dealing with economic matters), this remains  the best comprehensive series on contemporary China.  A series of 26 half-hour lessons has been recently constructed from the original  programs along with new presentations from specialists.  This series is called "The Chinese." [PBS]  The University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies has published two editions of "The Chinese" to accompany the series and there are also student and teacher guides available.

Silk Road, The
Two sets of six one hour videos.  These programs explore the art, history and culture of China and Central Asia.  The Silk Road linked Europe and China and was travelled by Marco Polo.  1992 production of Chinese Central Television and Japan's NHK. Two sets:
   -Set I: 
       -Glories of Ancient Chang'an
       -One Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River
       -Art Gallery in the Desert (Dunhuang)
       -The Dark Castle; In Search of the Kingdom of Loulan
       -Across the Taklamakan Desert.
   -Set II: Khotan: 
       -Oasis of Silk and Jade
       -A Heat Wave Called Turfan
       -Through the Tian Shan Mountains by Rail
       -Journey Into Music -- South Through the Tian Shan Mountains
       -Where Horses Fly Like the Wind
       -Two Roads to the Pamirs.  
<These videos are available from the Indiana University film library ($12.15 each)>
[CT, F, and PBS]

INDIA

Ravi Shankar: The Man and His Music     (60 minutes)
Examines the instruments and the structure of his music as well as his philosophy toward music.  Shows Shankar playing with Yehudi Menuhin, Zubin Mehta, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and George Harrison. 
<$149/$75>  
[FHS]

JAPAN

Discovering the Music of Japan  
In a teahouse, three instruments are demonstrated: the koto, the samisen, and the shakuhachi. 
<$50>  

Kodo: Heartbeat Drummers of Japan     (57 minutes)
Traditional and contemporary drumming.  
[F]

Our Musical Heritage Series: Music of Japan
This is a 10 volume series. The Japanese volume is $20. 
[F]  

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  OPERA

CHINA

Ancient China     (50 minutes)
From the creation legend of Pan Ku to the demise of the Han Dynasty, this program traces Chinese history and explores the roots of Chinese culture today. Visit the Great Wall if China as scholars discuss why it remains even today a symbol of oppression, exemplified in the legend of the weeping woman; the Imperial Palace and how it exemplifies Chinese beliefs in harmony; and the Beijing Opera, whose works are an elaborate retelling of traditional folktales. The influences of Buddhism, ancestor worship, and Taoism in China are also discussed, along with stunning footage of the Buddhist caves and the Terra Cotta Army.
<Purchase $129 / Rental $75> 
[FHS]

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  TEA CEREMONY

JAPAN

Japanese Tea Ceremony, The     (30 minutes)
While it originated in China, the Japanese have dramatically refined and preserved the tea ceremony.  This video focuses on the approach of the Omote Sen-ke school.  
<$149/$75>  
[FHS]

Principles and Practice of Zen, The     (100 minutes)
Explains the process leading to satori.  Includes coverage of tea ceremony, flower arranging and other aspects of Zen culture. 
<$159>  
[FHS]

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  THEATER

CHINA

China Kaleidoscope
This series was put together by Nan Hai Arts Center from Chinese television news  magazine shows.  It provides an opportunity to get a Chinese perspective on Chinese  life.  There are four tapes available, each 50 minutes long.  Contact Nan Hai for a  detailed list of subjects on the various tapes.  For example, Tape 1 includes Beijing's  Markets, The Water Shortage in Xi'an, Life in a Chinese Village, the Li Yuan Theater  in Beijing, China's Pop Stars Go On Tour, Fashion in Beijing, Women Police Officers  in Training, and more.  The tapes are in mandarin with English subtitles.  
<Each is $34.95; the set is $125.82>

JAPAN

Kabuki     (56 minutes)
Kabuki is more than four centuries old. This video introduces the history and current state of kabuki, taking viewers to a rehearsal, and performance.   
[FHS]

Kabuki Classics: Onue Baiko VII in the Salt Gatherer (1972)    (27 minutes)
Onue Baiko, a "living national treasure," performs this famous kabuki dance from the 18th century. 
<$90> 
[CT]

Written Face, The  (1995)     (89 minutes)
Tamasaburo BANDO is a distinguished Kabuki actor who specializes in women's roles. This film has four acts proceeding simultaneously and includes segments featuring geisha and film performers discussing this fading aspect of Japanese culture.  Daniel Smid, director.
<Purchase: $440/Rental $100> 
[FRIF] 

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