Club Screening – ‘We Don’t Dance for Nothing’: A Film About the Entrapment and Freedom Experienced by Domestic Workers of Hong Kong

 

CLUB SCREENING ‘We Don’t Dance for Nothing’: A Film About the Entrapment and Freedom Experienced by Domestic Workers of Hong Kong

SPEAKERS STEFANOS TAI WRITER / DIRECTOR XYZA CADA STAR RAN ZHANG DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JENNIFER CHIANG CHOREOGRAPHER Monday, July 18, 2022 6:30pm – Doors Open 6:30pm – 9:30pm – Buffet with free-flow beverage 7pm – Screening (1hr 26min) followed by Q&A First Floor

We Don’t Dance for Nothing is a visual recreation of true memories shared by the community of Filipina Domestic Workers of Hong Kong and follows one woman’s plan to run away. The film invites the viewer to viscerally experience the entrapment felt by these women, and their release into freedom when they dance. Captured on Super-16 amidst the Hong Kong protests, the film blends stills with motion to highlight the passionate street dancing of these marginalised women, and touch upon LGBTQ+ themes, issues of workers’ rights, and Hong Kong’s changing political landscape. Director Stefanos Tai, actor Xyza Cada, cinematographer Ran Zhang and choreographer Jennifer Chiang will join us for a Q&A moderated by FCC First Vice President Hannamiina Tanninen.

Stefanos Tai is a Greek-Chinese director from New York. His intensely anthropological work has been played at Tribeca, BAM, Cinequest, DOXA, and Harvard; and he’s directed within the Google Creative Lab and TBWA, for clients including Breguet, Hennessy, Kipling, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. His debut feature, We Don’t Dance for Nothing (2022), aims to portray the Domestic Workers of Hong Kong beyond their job descriptions, and showcase the 2019 Protest from their unseen perspective.

Xyza Cada is a performer best known for her supporting role in 2019’s Still Human, which picked up several accolades at the Hong Kong Film Awards. In the years following, she has been cast in several HK-based and international productions, most recently Lulu Wang’s upcoming Amazon series. Off screen, Xyza has been a champion for the Filipino community in Hong Kong and globally, through her work with causes including EmPowerU, Christian Action, Rise and Raise the Roof: Juan for the Visayas.

Ran Zhang is a cinematographer. During his formative years in Asia, he discovered a passion for visual storytelling after receiving an old Mini DV tape recorder. He’s shot for Breitling, Burberry, Cerruti, and Nike, and draws from his experiences of living in Singapore, Hong Kong, and LA to create a distinct visual sensibility in everything he shoots.

Jennifer Chiang is an Artistic Director and a Founder of BPM Productions, an event entertainment company based in Hong Kong. She has created shows for brands such as Adidas, Jaguar, the AFC Award Show 2019, and the Asian Music Awards. Her unique fusion of styles and influences reflects her mixed Chinese and American heritage and gives her a distinctive edge and style.

Club Screening Monday, July 18, 2022 $350per person 6:30pm – 10:00pm COLD STARTER Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Sauce Tuna Fish Salad with Egg Wedges and Green Beans German Cold Cut Sausage Mixed Salad Leaves with Dressing & Condiments (V) Avocado and Quinoa Salad (V) Crushed cucumber & Black Fungi with Sichuan Sauce (V) SOUP & BREAD BASKET Cream of Pumpkin (L) MAIN IN CHAFING Roasted Lamb Leg with Thyme Gravy Roasted Pork Loin with Prune Gravy Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Tomato Indian Beetroot and Fish Tandoori Kebab Stir-fried Broccoli with Crispy Chopped Garlic (V) Deep-fried Mini Samosa with Mint Dips (V) DESSERT Tonka Bean Cream Puff (L) Vanilla Strawberry Mousse Cake (L) Sliced Fruit Platter (V) Coffee or Tea (V) – Vegan    (L) – Lacto-ovo Vegetarian