Événement

MADE IN CHINA

In this personal documentary, John Helde uncovers his fathers experience growing up an American boy in pre-World War II China and discovers a community of other Americans with similar childhoods. Inspired by an account of Tom Heldes birth at the remote Sichuan mountaintop of Bailuding, John sets out to understand how growing up in China made his father who he is. Weaving together stunning black and white period home movies, photos and interviews, the documentary ultimately takes the audience from modern Shanghai to industrial Changsha to rural Sichuan, a journey that becomes an exploration of the meaning of home and growing up. An audience and critical favorite, MADE IN CHINA premiered at the 2007 Seattle International Film Festival; other festival screenings include Austin Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, and Big Muddy Film Festival.
The May 12 earthquake is one of the largest humanitarian disasters to hit China in the last 30 years. Nearly 70,000 people have died, and over five million are still homeless. This has been a terrible tragedy for China, and aftershocks and the threat of flooding and disease still pose a huge danger, Helde said. Having filmed in Chengdu and rural Sichuan, and with my familys past in that area, I feel a deep tie to Sichuan and Im very pleased to be able to partner with Northwest Film Forum and Mercy Corps to raise funds to provide some further help to people who are now homeless and suffering as a result of this disaster.
Mercy Corps was one of the first relief organizations on the ground in Sichuan after the May 12 7.9 magnitude earthquake. The organization has procured critical supplies such as food, water, clothing and shelter supplies and delivered them to affected families. Mercy Corps is also launching an initiative to help children and youth recover from their trauma through mentoring, sports and other activities.