Ethnographic Film Series
Organised by SOAS Department of Anthropology & Sociology in conjunction with Royal Anthropological Institute
Wednesday 29 November 1pm, Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS
Treasured Moments by Ravi Hart Lloyd 33 min/2016
This is the personal story of a boy who grew up mixed in every aspect of his life, his parents, where he was from, his race. The black kid who thought that he was white. The white kid who thought that he was black. The director, Ravi Hart, narrates the film along with interviews with his family. The film begins with Ravi’s love of boats. Born on the island of Anguilla, British West Indies, he grew up sailing and fishing. A catastrophic hurricane hits the island in 1995 and the family leaves for the United States. The film goes on to articulate the mixed-race experience in the US through themes of identity, displacement, educational inequalities and police harassment.
Youth Group by Wanwan Lu 28 minutes / 2015
Set in the predominantly Asian “ethnoburbs” of Los Angeles County, this film follows a vibrant Buddhist youth group in a Chinese-American temple. Youth group members, most raised by immigrant Buddhist parents, attempt to define Buddhism on their own terms as they struggle to understand the rituals and beliefs of their parents’ Buddhism. Interweaving the stories of teenagers and young adults faced with the challenge of cultivating the next generation of Buddhist youth leaders, “Youth Group” paints a light-hearted and intimate portrait of a generational gap, hyphenated identities and flexible beliefs in Asian America.
For further information on the films please contact: RAI Film Officer, Caterina Sartori, film@therai.org.uk
All are welcome, booking not required.
