SONG OF THE PHOENIX

INTRODUCE

SONG OF THE PHOENIX, the final film of the late director Wu Tianming, charts the life and trials of You Tianming, a young suona (a Chinese double-reed woodwind instrument) apprentice who goes on to form his very own suona troupe at a time when the presence of traditional instruments declines in Chinese society. Tianming faces the harsh reality that his artistic calling is no longer in tune with a modern, urbanized China. Director Wu Tianming, who just recently passed away, was considered a prominent figure among the Fourth Generation Chinese filmmakers who inspired many well-known Fifth Generation filmmakers such as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.Professor Zhen Zhang, Associate Professor of Cinema Studies and History at NYU Shanghai and Director/Founder of the Asian Film and Media Initiative at the NYU Department of Cinema Studies, will introduce the film.We are very proud to present this film with our community partner: Chinese American Arts Council.