“Turn It On: China on Film, 2000-2017”

Curated by Ai Weiwei and Wang Fen, this series presents twenty independent documentaries by China’s most daring artists and filmmakers investigating the political, social, economic, and cultural conditions of contemporary China. This ten-week festival encompasses twice-weekly daytime screenings and three featured evening events, and serves as the signature public program for Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World, on view October 6, 2017–January 7, 2018. 

Screenings take place on Fridays and Saturdays, October 13 through December 16. Daytime screenings are free with museum admission. Evening screenings at 6:30 pm include a Q&A session with special guest speakers and require a ticket.

Evening screenings

Nightingale, Not the Only Voice, 2000 (US premiere)
Directed by Tang Danhong
Mandarin with English subtitles, 180 minutes
Friday, October 13, 6:30pm

This film follows three marginal artists at the turn of the millennium, including the film’s director, on their shared journey through real and psychological oppression to self-discovery. Discussion with Tang Danhong and Chip Rolley, Senior Director, Literary Programs, PEN America, to follow the film.

We the Workers, 2017
Directed by Huang Wenhai
Mandarin with English subtitles, 173 minutes
Friday, November 3, 6:30pm

The “China miracle” has been built on the backs of hundreds of millions of migrant laborers. This film features workers from different provinces spanning two generations who have resisted this force through activist struggle and action. Discussion with Huang Wenhai, Zeng Jinyan, documentary filmmaker and writer, and Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director, PEN America, to follow the film.

Fairytale, 2007
Directed by Ai Weiwei
Mandarin with English subtitles, 153 minutes
Thursday, January 4, 6:30pm

In 2007 Ai Weiwei invited 1,001 people from China to travel to Kassel, Germany, as part of a participatory event for Documenta 12. Fairytale opens with the project’s inception and takes us through its full enactment, creating a series of portraits woven together by a single utopian event. Screening includes a Q&A with Alexandra Munroe, Samsung Senior Curator, Asian Art, and Philip Tinari, Director of the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, and exhibition cocurator.

Daytime screenings

Nightingale, Not the Only Voice, 2000
Directed by Tang Danhong
Mandarin with English subtitles, 180 minutes
Friday, November 17, 12:40pm
Also screens Friday, October 13, 6:30pm (includes Q&A with director)

Fairytale, 2007
Directed by Ai Weiwei
Mandarin with English subtitles, 153 minutes
Saturday, October 14, 12pm
Also screens Thursday, January 4, 6:30pm (includes Q&A with Alexandra Munroe and Philip Tinari)

Disturbing the Peace, 2009
Directed by Ai Weiwei
Mandarin with English subtitles, 80 minutes
Saturday, October 14, 2:35pm
Saturday, December 16, 1:30pm

Falling from the Sky, 2009
Directed by Zhang Zanbo
Mandarin and Hunan dialect with Chinese and English subtitles, 125 minutes
Friday, October 20, 12pm
Saturday, December 2, 12pm

The Road, 2015
Directed by Zhang Zanbo
Mandarin and Hunan dialect with Chinese and English subtitles, 94 minutes
Friday, October 20, 2:30pm
Friday, December 15, 12pm

Dream Walking, 2005 (US premiere)
Directed by Huang Wenhai
Mandarin with English subtitles, 86 minutes
Saturday, October 21, 12pm
Saturday, December 16, 12pm

We the Workers, 2017 (US premiere)
Directed by Huang Wenhai
Mandarin with English subtitles, 173 minutes
Saturday, October 21, 1:30pm
Also screens Friday, November 3, 6:30pm (includes Q&A with director)

Storm under the Sun, 2009
Directed by Peng Xiaolian and S. Louisa Wei
Mandarin and English with English subtitles, 137 minutes
Friday, October 27, 12pm
Friday, December 1, 2pm

Readymade, 2009
Directed by Zhang Bingjian
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles, 79 minutes
Friday, October 27, 2:20pm
Saturday, November 18, 2:30pm

When the Bough Breaks, 2013
Directed by Ji Dan
Mandarin with English subtitles, 110 minutes
Saturday, October 28, 12pm
Friday, November 24, 1:40pm

Plastic China, 2016
Directed by Wang Jiuliang
Mandarin with English subtitles, 82 minutes
Saturday, October 28, 1:55pm
Saturday, December 2, 2:30pm

Petition, 2009
Directed by Zhao Liang
Mandarin with English subtitles, 315 minutes
Friday, November 3, 12pm
Friday, December 8, 12pm

Jiabiangou Elegy: Life and Death of the Rightists, 2017
Directed by Ai Xiaoming
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles, 409 minutes
Saturday, November 4, 12pm
Saturday, December 9, 12pm

Karamay, 2010
Directed by Xu Xin
Mandarin with English subtitles, 356 minutes
Friday, November 10, 12pm

Garden in Heaven, 2005 (US premiere)
Directed by Ai Xiaoming and Hu Jie
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles, 200 minutes
Saturday, November 11, 12pm

In Search of Lin Zhao’s Soul, 2004
Directed by Hu Jie
Mandarin with English subtitles, 116 minutes
Saturday, November 11, 3:20pm
Friday, December 1, 12pm

Prisoners in Freedom City, 2007
Directed by Hu Jia and Zeng Jinyan
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles, 36 minutes
Friday, November 17, 12pm
Saturday, November 25, 2:55pm

Apuda, 2010 (US premiere)
Directed by He Yuan
Naxi dialect with English subtitles, 145 minutes
Saturday, November 18, 12pm

Silver City, 2009
Directed by Li Peifeng
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles, 98 minutes
Friday, November 24, 12pm
Friday, December 15, 1:35pm

Sanlidong, 2006
Directed by Lin Xin
Mandarin with English subtitles, 172 minutes
Saturday, November 25, 12pm
 

“Turn It On: China on Film, 2000-2017” is organized by the Guggenheim Museum in conjunction with Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World. Presented in collaboration with PEN America. Support is provided by The Hayden Family Foundation. A program of the Sackler Center for Arts Education.