Chinese Cinema

Along with the reform and opening policy that China undertook starting in 1979, a new generation of artists began to explore previously forbidden aspects of Chinese society, with filmmakers achieving international attention and awards. This class will view and discuss six works by some of the most prominent figures. The films are: Yellow Earth (dir. Chen Kaige); To Live (dir. Zhang Yimou); In the Heat of the Sun (dir. Jiang Wen); Not One Less (dir. Zhang Yimou); Beijing Bicycle (dir. Wang Xiaoshuai); and Still Life (dir. Jia Zhangke).

Faculty Bio

Thomas B. Gold is professor emeritus of sociology at UC Berkeley. Since 2000 he has also served as Executive Director of the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP), a consortium of 14 American universities which administers an advanced Chinese language program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. At Berkeley, he has also served as Associate Dean of International and Area Studies, Founding Director of the Berkeley China Initiative, and Chair of the Center for Chinese Studies.

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes will meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 202/204, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
• Classes will stream live, and be video recorded
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Tuesday, April 1, and ends on Tuesday, May 6
• Classes meet for 6 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
• All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy in Member Dashboards through May 31