Laughing in a Foreign Language

by Mami Kataoka (Author), Simon Critchley (Contributor)

Features Harry Dodge & Stanya Kahn

What is the role of laughter and humor in contemporary art? In a time of increasing globalization, this book questions whether humor can only be appreciated by people with similar cultural, political or historical backgrounds and memories, or whether laughter can act as a catalyst for understanding that which is not familiar. Do laughter and humor transcend difference and language, or are they dependent on inside knowledge and shared experience? Featuring illustrations of more than 70 video, photographic and installation works, this volume includes many artists who have relocated from their home countries, leading them to exploit the humor that arises out of everyday gaps in translation, or even to use humor to fill those gaps. Artists include Makoto Aida, Candice Breitz, Olaf Bruening, Marcus Coates, Cao Fei, Ghazel, Matthew Griffin, Taiyo Kimura, Peter Land, Julian Rosefledt, Shimabuku, Nedko Solakov, Roi Vaara, Martin Walde and others.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition Laughing in a Foreign Language, The Hayward, London, UK, 25 January - 13 April, 2008.

Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Hayward Publishing (March 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1853322660
ISBN-13: 978-1853322662

(possible resource for our conference next year)

SFIAAFF Student Delegate Program

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is proud to continue its annual Student Delegate Program. Aimed to engage students with Asian and Asian American cinema, the program strives to cultivate the next generation of scholars, artists, administrators and activists invested in the field of Asian American media.

As part of the Student Delegate Program, participants have the opportunity to:

• Participate in a structured program of screenings, events and meetings
• Access other festival events, i.e. panels, talks and parties
• Create online content for the SFIAAFF website

The program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities. We encourage both non-film and film majors to apply. The most important qualities we seek in a candidate are a love for film and desire to share this passion, the ability to interact with other students and festival guests, and a willingness to follow a
rigorous program of screenings and discussions.

With only 6 spots available, each student’s full commitment to the program is mandatory. In addition, students will be asked to write an article, blog or create a video during the festival, as well as complete a post-festival survey.

Download the Application here.
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2009

For more information about the Student Delegate Program, email christine[at]asianamericanmedia[dot]org.

To Gaza with Love

Monday Nov. 30, 6pm, Goldsmiths Cinema

The true story a rag-tag team of international peace activists aboard two fishing boats, who decided to take on the might of the Israeli military and break the siege of Gaza. Refusing to be intimidated, only one thing could stop them; and that was themselves.

Screening, 6pm Goldsmiths Cinema, Monday 30 Nov 2009

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2755068441/

All Welcome

ASA Meeting: Dec. 2

Our next meeting (and last for the year) will be this Wednesday, December 2, at 2pm, Graduate House, Goldsmiths. We'll be discussing next semester's seminars, workshop, as well as next Fall's conference and funding opps.

Cinema Typhoon: Waikiki Brothers- VENUE CHANGE

Join us again tonight at 6pm for a screening of Soonrye Yim's "Waikiki Brothers" (2001). Please note the change in venue: Room 309, Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths. The rest of the films this semester will still take place in the Cinema, RHB, Goldsmiths.

See you this evening!