Coming of Rage: Asian Youth & Politics on Screen
Programme Introduction
Though transient, youth is nonetheless a time of intensity—of belief, emotion, action—that has the capacity to bring forth great transformation, of both self and society. Coming of Rage is a 13-film programme that provides a varied look at how this youthful spirit has been placed against the structures that seek to control and tame it. Together they present divergent narratives to the rose-tinted gaze of the coming-of-age genre.
The double-billed opening of animated short GUNKWORLD and cult classic Battle Royale take a dark and sardonic approach to the notion of teenagers as a source of danger and transgression. Gie and Exchange Student Chua Swee-Lin pay homage to legacies of mass student demonstrations of the 60s in Indonesia and Japan, respectively, while All Was Good and Myanmar Diaries embody the recent and present milieu of youth protests in India and Myanmar. The series also holds space for the more free-spirited depictions of desire and passion of the young in Cleaners and The Needle, where playful experimentations are wielded as profound tools of self-expression.
Rather than constrain the concept of youth in a state of suspended animation, this programme hopes to channel its energies into the present, acknowledging the ways in which youth cultures have shaped the world around us and continue to rise against the powers that be—fists clenched, teeth grit, hearts aflame.
-Viknesh Kobinathan, Programmer
Coming of Rage: Asian Youth & Politics on Screen runs from 2-25 June 2023 at Oldham Theatre.
There will be post-screening Q&As for the films All Was Good (2022) and Myanmar Diaries (2022).
Programme
DOUBLE BILL: A Short Film on the May 13 Generation (2014, Jason Soo, Singapore ) + Exchange Student Chua Swee-Lin (1965, Noriaki Tsuchimoto, Japan)
DOUBLE BILL: Iranian Women’s Liberation Movement: Year Zero (جنبش آزادی زنان ایران – سال صفر 1979, Sylvina Boisonnas, Michelle Mulllie, France, Iran) + Dream of Silk (Kabeh abrisham, 2003, Nahid Rezaei, Iran)
The Needle (Игла, Igla, 1988, Rashid Nugmanov, USSR)
DOUBLE BILL: GUNKWORLD (2020, Mark Chee, Singapore) + Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル, 2000, Kinji Fukasaku, Japan)
Gie (2005, Rie Riza)
Summer Palace (颐和园, 2006, Lou Ye, China)
Cleaners (2019, Glenn Barit, Philippines)
May You Stay Forever Young (少年, Rex Ren, Lam Sam, Hong Kong)
Myanmar Diaries (2022, Myanmar Film Collective, Netherlands, Myanmar, Norway)
All Was Good (Sab changa si, 2022, Teresa A. Braggs. India)
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Oldham Theatre’s opening hours
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Important Notice:
Do note that Oldham Theatre does not play ads and screenings will start promptly. Arrive early so as not to disrupt the screenings. All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online to be able to secure a seat. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.
Measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all patrons at Oldham Theatre. This includes wearing a mask at all times for both staff and patrons. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime, so arrive early to register and find a seat.
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