The Asian Studies Center has an extensive collection of fiction and non‑fiction films available to borrow. Visit the center or contact us for more information.
Description: A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.A visual and spoken picture of a uniquely ordered and efficient city state. Explanations of Singapore's commercial success. Images and commentary on Singapore's need to plan ahead constantly to maintain its success and its image.
Description: During her lifetime, Dr. Rajani Thiranagama devoted herself to the cause of social equality in Sri Lanka, a country ravaged by war and death. Her own personal letters, along with interview footage of Rajani's older sister and husband, reveal a strong-willed woman who saw individuals as themselves, not as classes or ethnic distinctions. Viewers are informed of her fateful journey, which withstood violent oppression and civil war -- only to end in murder for the crime of speaking her heart.
Description: On her ninth birthday Amudha (P.S. Keerthana), after learning that she was adopted, resolves to find her birth mother. Her parents Thiruchelvan (Madhavan) and Indra (Simran) insist on accompanying her, and so together they leave the comfort of their home in India to venture into the jungles of Sri Lanka, where they witness the violence and brutality of civil war. Eventually they discover Shyama (Nandita Das), who explains that she gave up her daughter to fight for the separatist cause.
Description: Suwisal has turned 40. He's a forgetful businessman, a philanderer, indifferent to life around him, including his young and lovely fiancée. A visit to the house of his childhood triggers memories that continue to cascade when he is called for jury duty to hear the case against Piyum, a servant he seduced and abandoned 20 years before. Now a prostitute, she is on trial for murder. Can he seek forgiveness, provide restitution, or reconnect with her in any way? Should he? Will her response help him overcome his moral lethargy?
Description: Sri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-dramaSri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-dramaSri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-dramaSri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-dramaSri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-dramaSri Lanka 15-1 Tovil - dance ritual for driving away evil spirits 15-2 Dance based on the Kohomba kankariya ceremony: "Asne" 15-3 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Telme" 15-4 Dance from Perahara festival: "Ves" 15-5 Dance based on a ritual to Devol: "Devol" 15-6 Pancha turya - five-instrument ensemble 15-7 Hunting song of the Vedda Nepal 15-8 Gaine [musicians' caste] song with sarangi [bowed lute]: "Krishna murari" 15-9 Dhime, dapa khin, dholak and madal -drum solo 15-10 Dapa khala - Hindu devotional song 15-11 Lamaist ritual music 15-12 Masked dance-drama: "Mahakali pyakhan" Bhutan 15-13 Chain - masked dance-drama
Description: Rice is considered the most important food for the Taiwanese. Learn about its impact on the Taiwanese culture, reaching far beyond diet and nutrition and influencing even language and rituals.
Description: The lunar New Year is like a long red thread that runs through the history of the Chinese people. It passes through thousands of years, links China's two great rivers, crosses the Straits of Taiwan and, indeed, extends throughout the world, creating an intricate web throughout time and space that cannot be broken. It represents everything that the Chinese people are: their religious, ethical, social, culinary and artistic beliefs. Many provinces from mainland China are also represented here in Taiwan: in addition there are the aboriginal peoples. Taiwan's Lunar New Year is consequently more pluralistic than in any other place, incorporating elements from all over mainland China. A new and prosperous lifestyle has also added new elements to the celebration of the New Year. Taiwan's Lunar New Year is Chinese culture in miniature. Moreover, modernization, progress and diversification of culture have led Taiwanese to reinterpret the New Year, making it a more spectacular event than ever before.
Description: Experience the elegant and rich tradition of Taiwanese tea ceremonies, from the prized tea leaves to the role that tea plays in various social gatherings.
Description: For centuries, on this land called Taiwan, many peoples have built their homes, and many cultures have merged. They have written a glorious record of physical activity, diverse in style and form. In action or stillness, in excitement or tranquility, every move and stance reflects in exquisite detail the tears and laughter of the people as they fight for survival on this land. Today, as athletes of the world compete for the gold, the residents of this island burn with an enthusiasm of their own, fascinated with their own style of sport and recreation. This film captures the many faces of the folk sports practiced throughout Taiwan, and presents a new facet of island's strength and grace.
Description: Ornately decorated halls, an array of stalls selling delicious snacks, harmonious and skilled movements of performers--people in Taiwan pull out all the stops when putting on temple shows. A vibrant folk culture has arisen that is unique to specific locations around Taiwan. Temples are places of religious worship, centers of the community and sources of folk culture. What is seen represents not only a record of historical development and a repository of architectural ornamentation, but also a symbol of the close ties between a people and the land.