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Friday, February 27, 12:00 p.m., Korean Studies Building Auditorium
A Panel Presentation by Erik Kuhonta, Benedict Kerkvliet, Richard Doner, Peter Manicas, and Barbara Watson Andaya

Southeast Asia in Political Science: Theory, Region, and Qualitative Analysis (Stanford, 2008) calls for “concerted efforts to improve and invigorate scholarly synergy between region and discipline.” In demonstrating that Southeast Asianists have accumulated a body of qualitative knowledge that can make a significant contribution to political science theory, the book affirms that area studies and comparative politics are complementary and mutually enriching.

In this panel discussion, one of the editors of the volume, Erik Kuhonta (Assistant Professor, Political Science, McGill University and currently Visiting Fellow, East-West Center), and two authors,Benedict Kerkvliet (Emeritus Professor, Australian National University; Graduate Affiliate Faculty, Political Science, UH) and Richard Doner (Associate Professor, Political Science, Emory University), will speak to some of the issues raised in this timely book. Peter Manicas (Professor, Political Science, UH) and Barbara Watson Andaya (Professor, Asian Studies, UH) will serve as commentators, and the panel will be chaired by Ehito Kimura (Assistant Professor, Political Science, UH).

Copies of Southeast Asia in Political Science will be available for purchase.

Wednesday, 25 February 2010
6:30 p.m. – Korean Studies Auditorium

Directed by Jonathan Foo and Nguyen Phan Quang Binh
Vietnam/Singapore, 2002, 98 minutes
Vietnamese with English Subtitles

An anecdotal, semi-documentary reflection on the Vietnam War from the point of view of some young Viet Cong conscripts, “Song of the Stork” focuses on the human rather than political element to largely engrossing effect. Recounted by former North Vietnamese army cameraman Tran Van Thuy, the film centers on new recruits who arrive at the Xuan Mai Training Camp in summer ’67. Manh is a 16-year-old farmer’s son who lied about his age to enlist; May, from the same village, is a more carefree type. Also in the mix is Hanoi writer Van, who marries his student girlfriend during a few days’ leave, and Lam, who becomes a spy below the border. In picture’s most interesting thread, Lam marries a South Vietnamese colonel’s daughter but stays on to welcome the victorious northern army into Saigon in April ’75 when she and her family flee to the U.S. – Variety

official website

Wednesday, 11 February
6:30 p.m. – Korean Studies Auditorium

Directed by Nonzee Nimbutur
Thailand, 1977, 110 minutes
Thai with English Subtitles

High school classmates become enemies in this action film about teen gangs in 1950s Thailand. Raised by his prostitute mother, impoverished Dang rules the school. But after he’s kicked out of class, Dang, his sidekick Piak and tough classmates Lam Dum and Pu Bottle Bomb start a criminal gang, running rackets until their past conflicts escalate into brutal confrontations. Shown at the 1997 London and Vancouver Film Festivals. Nobody predicted that a director of TV commercials like Nonsee Nimitbutr would hit the jackpot in a period of economic decline, but this film – his debut movie – broke the all-time Thai box office record, taking in over 42 million USD in just five months. Critic Sananjit Bangsaphan said the film – which uncharacteristically features no teen idols or pop superstars – owes its success to quality film-making, particularly its cinematography. Undeniably, a portion of the film’s success is due in part to the controversy surrounding it. Based on actual events in 1956, the characters in Dang Bierley’s are portrayals of real-life people who were once familiar to the local police – Daeng Bailey, Piak Wisukasat, Pu Raberdkhuad, and others.

Wednesday, 4 February
6:30 p.m. – Korean Studies Auditorium

Directed by Monty Tiwa
Indonesia, 2007, 115 minutes
Indonesian with English Subtitles

Dibyo is unemployed actor obsessed with becoming famous. He’s always working in the movies as a bit actor, but is still waiting for his big break. He’s entangled with Mira (Mulan Kwok), who reveals that she’s pregnant…and who asks Dibyo to be father to her child! Dibyo immediately agrees to marry Mira, but it’s not that simple. Mira’s still married, albeit to a man she never sees. She asks Dibyo to convince her husband, Lamhot – a mobster (!) – to sign her divorce papers. Things get even hotter when a misunderstanding makes Lamhot force Dibyo to marry Butet (Shanty), Lamhot’s sister. Who will Dibyo marry in the end: Mira or Butet!

Official Website