Arts and Entertainment
Arts and entertainment have always been a big part of UACP's events. In fact, the project's first and flagship event is the annual US-ASEAN Film Festival which is currently on its fifth edition with the sixth edition scheduled for later this year. It is the first, and still the only, film festival in the US to focus on cinematic gems from the region. This year we are also bringing back the US-ASEAN Short Film Competition which will be held in conjunction with the film festival.
For more information on the US-ASEAN Film Festival, please visit the festival's website »
For more information on the US-ASEAN Short Film Competition, please visit the UASFC website »
Arts and Entertainment in Southeast Asia
Arts and entertainment are probably two of the most visible products of any culture. Whether it's in a portable form such as paintings, a live-action form such as plays, or an intangible form such as music, A&E occupy a significant space on any culture's portfolio. While A&E is a reflection of the current state of the society, it is also where new ideas and foreign influences test the water before they're adopted, absorbed, or filtered by the respective culture.
Flanked by two continents and two oceans, Southeast Asia has always played host to many cultures and societies since the early days of civilization. Deep in the roots of Southeast Asian cultures are two of the world's oldest societies from India and China - their contributions to modern day Southeast Asia can still easily be seen in the form of our cuisine, linguistic heritage, and folk dances. Nevertheless, in today's globalized world, Southeast Asians are as likely to quote Shakespeare as they are to quote Confucius, while thousands of people would stay awake all night to watch a World Cup match just as they would during the final Badminton match at SEA Games.
Fortunately, throughout the region's history, this influx of foreign influence has enriched the original culture rather than replacing it. Nowhere else than in Southeast Asia's arts and entertainment industry can this blend of various cultures can be spotted easier, especially in the film industry. Often hailed in recent years as the "up-and-coming" cinematic region, Southeast Asian cinema offers a glimpse to the region's dynamic and vibrant society. From the avant-garde rainforest fantasy land on Apichatpong Weeresethakul's films to Nia DiNata's pop sensibilities in tackling serious issues to Brillante Mendoza's gripping tales of somber realities, it seems like the future is bright for the region's movie-making industry.
