Movie Chat Night: "Chen Village", Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 7pm

The COVID-19 pandemic may still be raging in the U.S. and beyond, but that’s not going to stop the Northwest China Council from resuming its monthly movie program. We’ll be greeting 2021 with a diverse selection of captivating and entertaining films that provide insight into Chinese life, history, and culture. So come join us! Here’s how it’ll work:

Due to ongoing restrictions on social gatherings, we will not be meeting in person and viewing the films together as we did before. Instead, we’ll be running this program like a book club: you watch the selected film at your own leisure, then join the other participants on Zoom at 7pm on the last Monday of each month. These online sessions will consist of a 20-25 minute period where several general questions about the film are discussed, followed by a 7-8 minute breakout session into smaller groups. Most movies are available free on Kanopy.com. Kanopy can be accessed through a web browser, Roku, or a smart t.v. A Kanopy login account requires a library card.

January 2021 Movie Selection

Title: Chen Village

Chat: Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 7pm

Cost: Free, [Register here]

See the movie before 1/25 at Kanopy

To buy the DVD, or download the film:

[Click here]

If you have trouble viewing the movie, or cannot access it on your streaming services, contact info@nwchina.org for an alternate download link.

Movie Description

Located in Henan Province in eastern China, Chen Jia Gou aka Chen Village is a remote, nondescript place which just happens to be the birthplace of Tai Chi Chuan. The majority of its denizens are members of the Chen family, whose namesake style of Tai Chi Chuan has been preserved and practiced for 400 years. Students both domestic and international come to Chen Village regularly to study with the masters and refine their skills. Foreign students interviewed for this film all praised the simpler, more peaceful quality of life without the myriad distractions of the hectic outside world. I found it particularly interesting to learn that “the practice of calligraphy is the same as the practice of martial arts…book and sword share the same origins." - Shireen Farrahi

The Northwest China Council's Movie Night is a program to promote better understanding of Chinese history, culture, and current affairs. Please consider supporting its programming at www.nwchina.org.