In a New Orleans neighborhood called Versailles, a tight-knit group of Vietnamese Americans overcame obstacles to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, only to have their homes threatened by a new government-imposed toxic landfill. A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES is the empowering story of how the Versailles people, who have already suffered so much in their lifetime, turn a devastating disaster into a catalyst for change and a chance for a better future. Click here for a 5 Years Since Katrina Fact Sheet from MQVN-CDC.
Latest News
November Screenings
Friday, November 4th, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Happy Fall everyone! We have a number of screenings this November. You know the drill, take a peek and spread the word:
SANTA CRUZ, CA
WHAT: FREE Screening at UC Santa Cruz WHEN: Wednesday, 11/2 @ 6pm (PST) WHERE: Cervantes and Velasquez Room, Third Floor, Bay Tree Building
Screening followed by discussion with director/producer S. Leo Chiang. Event presented by the Asian American/ Pacific Islander Resource Center.
LINCOLN, NE
WHAT: Screening at the Sheldon Museum of Art WHEN: Tuesday, 11/8 @ 7pm (CDT) WHERE: Sheldon Museum of Art in the Ethel E. Abbott Auditorium @ 12th & R Streets, Lincoln, NE 68588-0300
Screening followed by discussion. For more information, please contact Sharon L. Kennedy, Curator of Cultural and Civic Engagement at (402) 472-3541 or via email at skennedy3@unl.edu.
WHAT: FREE Screening at NYU WHEN: Friday, 11/18 @ 6:30pm – 9:30pm (EST) WHERE: Cantor Film Center at NYU @ 36 E 8th St., Between University Place and Greene St., New York, NY 10003
Screening followed by discussion with Director/Producer S. Leo Chiang. Event presented by The Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University.
We are proud to announce that A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES has been nominated for an Emmy Award, in the “Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story – Long Form” category. We are incredibly honored! Check out all the news & documentary Emmy nominees here.
Hope you enjoyed your Fourth of July holiday. After two years of screening A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, people still approach me and ask, “Where can I see the film?” Today, I have a new answer to that question. Until the end of July, if you have Comcast Cable (a nationwide network), you can watch the film on Comcast On Demand in the comforts of your living room for the bargain price of $1.99!
1. Go to your digital cable menu, click on the “On Demand” button, and then look under the “Movies” folder.
2. Next, there will be a “Movie Collections” folder and inside of this viewers will find “Cinema Asian America.”
3. Click on “Make Do Say Think” folder and you will find Village/Versailles.
4. Click play and enjoy!
If you can’t find the film that way, you can always search for A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, by typing in the title of the film using your remote control. Or, to add us to your Comcast On Demand cue from your computer, click here to do so.
Also happening this month, I will be traveling to Bahrain to screen the film with the American Documentary Showcase. To keep everyone informed on the latest events, I will be posting frequent updates to our Facebook page and Twitter, so stay tuned.
WHERE: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Room 356-357
Screening followed by panel discussion about how the residents of the region responded to the disaster, but also the ways communities began to rebuild. Panel participants include: S. Leo Chiang; Rebecca Troy-Horton, head of the Government Information Department at the McNeese State University Library in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Frederick Weil, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Screening followed by a panel discussion comprised of local librarians and community organizers who are featured in the film. The panel discussion will focus on how library resources have helped the community after a crisis and the challenges for a community with the destruction of their local library.
WHERE: Pick up and drop off at W Hotel,333 Poydras Street New Orleans, LA 7013
The tour will be led by Minh Nguyen, the Executive Director of the Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association (VAYLA).
And in July, I am excited to be heading to Bahrain with the American Documentary Showcase, where the American Embassy has invited us to screen the film. The film will screen at the Bahrain Cinema Club on July 10th and 11th. And, on July 12th and 13th, Lois Vossen, Series Producer for PBS Independent Lens, and I will lead a workshop for young Bahraini and Saudi filmmakers emphasizing the power and importance of nonfiction media. The current political climate of Bahrain (to learn more, check out the BBC’s country profile of Bahrain), combined with the themes of community organizing and civic engagement present in A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, should make for an interesting dialogue with the audience. To keep everyone informed on the latest events, I will be posting frequent updates to our Facebook page and Twitter, so now is a good time to check it out.
Support the Viet Am fishers; plus AAAS Conference in NOLA
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
A year has passed since the Gulf Coast oil spill, and the BP claims process continues to delay restitution for Vietnamese American fisherpeople. MQVN CDC is once again leading the charge for justice. You can help by signing their petition for a fair and prompt resolution. To learn more, check out this The New York Times article, which features Tuan Nguyen, Deputy Director of MQVN CDC.
Another New Orleans organization featured in A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES, Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association (VAYLA) is celebrating their 5th anniversary with a Heritage and Hope Gala on Saturday, May 21. Join them in paying tribute to those who have empowered and created positive social change for the Asian Pacific Islander American and New Orleans communities.
Finally, we have been invited to participate in the Association of Asian American Studies Conference in New Orleans this month:
NEW ORLEANS, LA
WHAT: Screening/Discussion at the Association of Asian American Studies Conference
WHEN: Thursday, 5/19 @ 4:30-6pm
WHERE: Sheraton Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, Room: Rhythms 2
Screening followed by panel discussion with Director Leo Chiang; Minh Thanh Nguyen, VAYLA; Diem Nguyen, MQVN CDC; moderated by Linda Trinh Vo, UC Irvine.
WHAT: Asian American Filmmakers Panel at the Association of Asian American Studies Conference
WHEN: Friday, 5/20 @ 1-2:30pm
WHERE: Sheraton Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, Room: Nottoway
Filmmakers’ Roundtable: Art, Activism, and the Role of Asian American Documentaries in the 21st Century Marketplace. Chair: Larry Hashima, Cal State University-Long Beach; Panel includes Leo Chiang; Deann Borshay Liem, Katahdin Productions; Anita Chang, University of California-Santa Cruz; Russell Jeung, San Francisco State University; Valerie Soe, San Francisco State University.
It’s been a year and a half since A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES began its festival run. We are thrilled and grateful that the film continues to travel, and new audiences continue to learn about the amazing story of the New Orleans Vietnamese American community for the first time.
In March we screened at the South East Asian American Studies Conference, College of San Mateo APA Film Festival, University of Florida, and Harvard University. We appreciate the support we received at each of these screenings. This month, the film will travel to Bali for the Global Social Change Film Festival. So if you happen to be in need of a vacation and find yourself in Bali, make sure to catch the screening!
Here are our April screenings. We will also be updating the website and Facebook page with new screening information as it comes.
ANN ARBOR, MI:
WHAT: University of Michigan Screening
WHEN: Tuesday 4/05 @ 7:00pm-8:30pm
WHERE: North Quad- Multicultural Lounge, 503 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
Free food provided and Q&A with Director S. Leo Chiang via Skype
CHARLOTTE, NC:
WHAT: FREE UNC Charlotte Screening WHEN: Wednesday 4/06 @ 11:00am-12:00 pm
WHERE: Student Union Room 200, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28223
WHAT: FREE Good Look Film Festival
WHEN: Wednesday 4/13-17
WHERE:
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114
California College of the Arts, 5212 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94618
MILWAUKEE, WI:
WHAT: FREE UWM Screening
WHEN: Thursday 4/14 @ 6:00pm
WHERE: Union Fireside Lounge, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI, 53201
NEW ORLEANS, LA:
WHAT: FREE Community Screening @ The Green Project
WHEN: Thursday 4/21 @ 7:00p,-10:00pm
WHERE: The Green Project, 2831 Marais Street, New Orleans, LA, 70117
BERKELEY, CA:
WHAT: FREE UC Berkeley Screening
WHEN: Thursday 4/28 @ 7:30pm-9:30pm
WHERE: 2060 Valley Life Sciences Building, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
The American Library Association has selected A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES as one of 15 Notable Videos for Adults 2011. The list includes “15 outstanding programs released on video within the past two years and suitable for all libraries serving adults. Its purpose is to call attention to recent video releases that make a significant contribution to the world of video recordings.”
Please share this info with your local university and public librarians and ask them to make the film available for the public!
Hi folks. Our director, Leo Chiang, is participating in the HandsOn Network’s MLK Day of Service event–America’s Sunday Supper. You will be able to watch the live webcast through the embedded video player on Sunday 1/16 at 6pm Eastern Time. Hope you can join us.
Following a brief hiatus over the holiday season, A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES is charging full steam ahead into 2011. We are excited to share with you that HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute and the largest volunteer network in the country, has chosen to include our film in their Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2011 events throughout January!
Starting this week, A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES will be presented in over 50 free Community Cinema screenings across the country. In partnership with ITVS, Campus Kitchens Project and the North Carolina Campus Compact, HandsOn Network will support cross cultural dialogue as an avenue for social change through the use of documentary film and organized service projects around the country. Each event will include a free public screening of our film, and a service project will be introduced where people can plug in and get involved in their local communities.
Secondly, Leo, our director, has been asked to participate in a panel, alongside Arianna Huffington and Olympic legend Carl Lewis, at the special America’s Sunday Supper event at the Newseum in DC on the eve of MLK Day. The panel will discuss ways to engage communities and to take action for a more just world. The event will webcast live via Livestream at 6 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 16th.
Please take part in this inspiring opportunity. Below, we have listed a several Community Cinema screenings that are already scheduled, but you can find the complete list of participating cities here. All screenings are FREE and open to the public. We will also be updating ourwebsite and Facebook page with new screening information as it comes. And don’t forget to tune in to the liveAmerica’s Sunday Supper webcast event!
ST. PAUL, MN:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema w/ HandsOn Twin Cities
WHEN: Wednesday 1/12 @ 7pm
WHERE: Lowry Lab Theater, 350 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, MN
The screening will be followed by a facilitated interactive discussion to reflect on the film and highlight related volunteer opportunities within the St. Paul community.
FRESNO, CA:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema w/ HandsOn Central California
WHEN: Sunday 1/16 @ 1 pm
WHERE: Revue Cafe, 620 E. Olive Ave., Fresno
Please contact pmurillo (at) handsoncentralcal (d0t) org for more info.
NEVADA, MO:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Cottey College
WHEN: Sunday 1/16 @ 2:30 pm
WHERE: 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, Missouri 64772
Dr. Sonia Cowen, executive director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership and Social Responsibility, will lead a discussion following the film.
CHARLOTTE, NC:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema w/ HandsOn Charlotte
WHEN: Sunday 1/16 @ 6 pm
WHERE: Actor’s Theater Charlotte, 650 East Stonewall Street
and
WHEN: Monday 1/17 @ 11 am
WHERE: Grady Cole Center, 310 N Kings Dr
CLEVELAND, OH:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema w/ HandsOn Northeast Ohio
WHEN: Monday 1/17 @ 10 am
WHERE: Broadway Boys & Girls Club, 6114 Broadway, Cleveland
WILMINGTON, DE:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Theater N
WHEN: Monday 1/17 @ 11:30 am
WHERE: Theater N-Nemours Bldg, 11th & Tatnall Sts., Wilmington, DE
ROCKY MOUNT, NC:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ N. Carolina Wesleyan College
WHEN: Monday 1/17 @ 1:30 pm
WHERE: Dunn Ctr for the Performing Arts, 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd.
Please email bjrobinson (at) ncwc (dot) edu for more info.
AMES, IA:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Ames Public Library Auditorium
WHEN: Monday 1/17 @ 2-4 pm
WHERE: Ames Public Library, 515 Douglass Ave, Ames, IA
ASHEVILLE, NC:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ UNC Asheville
WHEN: Tuesday 1/18 @ 12:30 pm
WHERE: Highsmith University Union’s Alumni Hall, 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
For more info, you can call (828) 251-6585.
ASHEVILLE, NC:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Mars Hill College
WHEN: Tuesday 1/18 @ 7 pm
WHERE: Belk Auditorium, 100 Athletic St, Mars Hill College
WINSTON-SALEM, NC:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Wake Forest Univ.
WHEN: Tuesday 1/18 @ 7 pm
WHERE: Annenberg Forum, Carswell Hall, Wake Forest Univ
VANCOUVER, WA:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Clark College
WHEN: Wednesday 1/19 @ 11 am
WHERE: Penguin Student Lounge, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA
DEARBORN, MI:WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Univ of Michigan-Dearborn
WHEN: Thursday 1/20 @ 5 pm
WHERE: Rm 1225, University Center, 4901 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn, MI
PULLMAN, WA:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Washington State University
WHEN: Thursday 1/20 @ 6 pm
WHERE: CUB Auditorium, Washington State Univ
BIG RAPIDS, MI:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Ferris State University
WHEN: Thursday 1/20 @ 7 pm
WHERE: Business Bldg Rm 111, Big Rapids
SPOKANE, WA:
WHAT: FREE MLK Community Cinema @ Gonzaga Univ
WHEN: Friday 1/21 @ 7 pm
WHERE: Jepson Wolff Auditorium, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA
Call 509.313.4037 for more info.
And we continue to screen at Universities and Colleges around the country. Here’s an upcoming screening at Santa Clara University:
SANTA CLARA, CA
WHAT: Screening @ Santa Clara University
WHEN: Monday 1/24 @ 6:30-9 pm
WHERE: Recital Hall (Center for Performing Arts/Musica and Dance Building), 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
Cornell United Religious Work, the campus interfaith organization, is bringing out Father Vien and director Leo Chiang out for two days of wonderful programming in addition to the film screening. Check out the web page for more info.
Registration is required. The festival is a part of the APHA Annual Meeting that explores international public health issues.
Leo has also been invited to show the film on Tue 11/9 at University of Maryland (Dr. Larry Shinagawa’s Asian American Studies class @ 9:30a-10:45a) and University of San Francisco (my dear friend & collaborator Johnny Symons’ documentary studies class @ 6:30p-10p).
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