April 10, 1997-Vol28n27: Director of controversial film on Tiananmen to speak at UB

Director of controversial film on Tiananmen to speak at UB

Chinese-born, Boston-based film- maker Carma Hinton will present her documentary, "The Gates of Heavenly Peace," at two showings at UB on Friday, April 18. The film examines the 1989 Chinese student movement for democracy and its tragic aftermath culminating in the massacre in Tiananmen Square.

The 140-minute film probes into the cultural, political and social causes of what it depicts as a social tragedy. It is critical of hardliners in the government, as well as hardliners among the students. It has been banned in China and has been attacked by some student leaders as well.

Screenings will be held from

1-3:30 p.m. in Room 222 of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Building on the North Campus, and from 7-9:30 p.m. in Room 215 of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Building. The screenings will be free and open to the public. They will be followed by discussions led by Roger Des Forges, associate professor, Department of History, a specialist on China; and Junhao Hong, assistant professor, Department of Communications, a specialist on Chinese film.

Hinton will give a Web site demonstration on archival materials used to make the film from

2-3:30 p.m. in the Law Library, O'Brian Hall, fifth floor Room A.

The presentations will beco-sponsored by the June 4 Memorial Fund; the departments of Communication, History and Philosophy; the Council on International Studies and Programs; the vice provost for international education; the Program in Asian Studies and the Graduate Group on Human Rights Law and Policy. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 645-6184.