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Forbidden City, USA – Chinatown Nightclubs

ForbiddenCity-cover_FINAL front_July23_72dpi_1Winner of the 2015 American Book Award, Forbidden City, USA is now available in a collectible hardcover edition. This critically acclaimed book captures the magic and glamour of the Chinatown nightclub scene with other 400 images – come take a dazzling tour on the old “Chop Suey Circuit”!

Purchase here: http://goo.gl/nna48i

Forbidden City, USA Hardcover Edition Launch Party

Hardcover book talk smaller_1November 21, San Francisco. Join author and filmmaker Arthur Dong for a book talk and signing for his 2015 American Book Award-winning Forbidden City, USA. There will be a brief Q&A session and light refreshments will be served. Special guests! Veteran dancers from the Chinatown Nightclub era:  Pat Chin, Ivy Tam, and Cynthia Yee, founding members of the Grant Avenue Follies; and Coby Yee, exotic dancer who eventually ran the Forbidden City nightclub (pictured). Co-Presented by the Chinese Historical Society of America and the Art Deco Society of California.

CHSA Museum, 965 Clay St., SF Chinatown. Nov 21, 1pm, FREE.
RSVP: http://chsa.org/event/forbidden-city-u-s-a-hardcover-edition-launch-party/

LGBT History Month Icon

Icon graphicEquality Forum named filmmaker Arthur Dong a LGBT History Month Icon for 2015. LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

 

Best Documentary Feature Award

Cambodia Town award_1The Cambodia Town Film Festival bestowed its inaugural Best Documentary Feature Award to The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor. The Jury noted: “Our selection committee received a number of submissions and your work was unanimously praised for its many cinematic strengths.”

Forbidden City, USA – Now On Blu-Ray & DVD

Forbidden City_front DVD_2016_1Forbidden City, USA has been digitally re-mastered by UCLA Film & TV Archive from original film negatives, revealing stunning details and rich colors never before seen. Bonus features: archival footage of the Forbidden City nightclub; short Soundie films with performances by dancers Mara Kim and Noel Toy; additional interviews; and an interactive 28-page Forbidden City souvenir program.

Purchase Blu-Ray here: http://goo.gl/fvAGsc
Purchase DVD here: http://goo.gl/ViNbzQ

American Book Award

FC book award 3_1Forbidden City, USA: Chinatown Nightclubs, 1936-1970 is among this year’s winners of the Thirty-Sixth Annual American Book Awards, presented by the Before Columbus Foundation. The awards were created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community.

Cambodia Film Tour

Banner Facebook 6_1The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh and Bophana Center are proud to present the international Cambodia premiere of The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor. The four city tour includes stops in Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Dr. Ngor’s hometown, Samrong Yong in Takeo. Director Arthur Dong will be in attendance at all screenings. August 21–28, 2015.

Contact: Tel: 077 811 668; info@bophana.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/1644783909126518/

The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor

Ngor on the Killing Field set__courtesy Dr Haing S. Ngor Foundation_300dpi

Set against the backdrop of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge reign of terror, The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor chronicles a powerful journey of love, loss and reconciliation.

Screenings
Film Page

 

Forbidden City, USA

ForbiddenCity-Jacket_FINAL-front_July23_1

Forbidden City, U.S.A.: Chinatown Nightclubs, 1936-1970 captures the magic and glamour of the Chinese American nightclub scene, which peaked in San Francisco during World War II. Previously unpublished personal stories, along with over four hundred stunning images and rare artifacts, are presented in this sexy and insightful chronicle of Asian American performers who defied racial and cultural barriers to pursue their showbiz dreams.