Museum of the Chinese in America

The Newly Renovated Museum of the Chinese in Americas has Free Thursdays.

MOCA Target Free Thursday! Gran Torino Forum Discussion With Actors on July 16, 2009

Come to MOCA's Target Free Thursday on July 16!
Gran Torino Forum Discussion With Actors
Thu, Jul 16 from 7pm – 9pm

Free gallery admission this and every Thursday, made possible through the generosity of Target.

11 am - 9 pm Educator-led tours of the new space, plans for core exhibit and the Core Portraits.

11:30 am; 1:00 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm; 5:30 pm Screenings of Chinatown Film Project

7 pm - 9 pm GRAN TORINO FORUM DISCUSSION WITH ACTORS
A conversation and documentary screening with Bee Vang (played lead “Thao” in Gran Torino and making his only appearance in New York), Doua Moua (played gangbanger “Spider” in Gran Torino), and Louisa Schein (Asian American media expert, Rutgers University)


Join the Museum of Chinese in America and New York University’s Asian/Pacific/American Institute, for an exclusive and intimate conversation with actors Bee Vang (played lead "Thao" in Gran Torino), Doua Moua, (played gangbanger "Spider" in Gran Torino) and Louisa Schein (Asian American media expert, Rutgers University). Clint Eastwood's blockbuster was number 1 in the box office when it was released to critical acclaim. For Hmong Americans, Gran Torino marks a cinematic debut - the first they have participated in as characters, cast and crew in a major motion picture.

The event will include the New York City premier screening of "Gran Torino: Next Door" (directed by Mark D. Lee, produced by Cedric Lee), accompanied by a lively discussion and Q&A as the actors discuss their experiences as Asian Americans in the film industry and how they crafted their roles and their culture in Gran Torino.


"Gran Torino: Next Door", a short documentary made by two Detroit Hmong filmmakers, takes an intimate look at the Hmong actors' experiences and their stories, both on and off set, by mingling glimpses of early auditions and production shots with interviews - from Bee Vang, to Clint Eastwood, to writer Nick Schenk.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP’s recommended. Email education@mocanyc.org with name and number of guests.

This exciting benefit has been made possible through the generosity of Target.


Upcoming Target Free Thursday performances:
July 30: Cynthia Lin (acoustic/folk/jazz), Alice Hu (alternative/folk)
August 13: Kelly Tsai (spoken word)