Hong Kong Film Director Ann Hui to Visit UW-Madison

Asia’s most celebrated female film director will visit the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus next month as part of the university’s year-long celebration of contemporary Asian film.

Ann Hui’s arrival in Madison will form the centerpiece of an international symposium, “New Trends in East Asian Cinema” Feb. 14 and 15.

According to symposium organizer David Bordwell, UW–Madison’s Jacques Ledoux Professor of Film Studies, Hui has been a major presence on the Asian film landscape for at least a decade.

“She has both remarkable range and a great ability to mix emotional tones,” he says. “She’s filmed crime dramas, comedies, historical epics and more, but she excels in intimate dramas that explore relationships between women and their families.”

Two examples of Hui’s work in that arena will be shown as part of the film series “Light in the East.” “Song of the Exile” (1990) chronicles a woman’s emigration plans and her daughter’s coming to terms with the decision. “Summer Snow” (1995) focuses on a career woman who must care for her father-in-law, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“‘Summer Snow’ might have been a disease-of-the-week TV movie,” Bordwell says. “But Hui makes it both deeply moving and surprisingly buoyant.”

Both films will be screened Feb. 15 in 4070 Vilas Hall. “Song of the Exile” will begin at 2 p.m. “Summer Snow” will shown at 7 and 9 p.m.

In addition to discussing her films, Hui also will consider recent developments in both the films and societies of Hong Kong (her native country), Japan, Taiwan and China at the symposium. Joining her will be Esther Yau, professor at Occidental College, Kyoko Hirano, Japan Society of New York, and Hector Rodriguez, on the faculty of Hong Kong Baptist College. Representing UW–Madison will be Edward Friedman, professor of professor of political science, discussing the politics of film.

The symposium will begin Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon Feb. 15.

CONTACT: David Bordwell, (608) 262-7723/262- 2543 bordwell@facstaff.wisc.edu