DANCING BELLS (CHALANGGAI)-Asian Cinevision @ MoMA November 24, 2007

WHEN: Friday, November 23, 2007, 7:00PM
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 2:00PM
WHERE: Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd Street.
NY, NY 10019
T: 212-708-9400
TIX: $6 discounted tix for ACV members (general $10).

Director/Editor: Deepak Kumaran Menon
Writers: Deepak Kumaran Menon, Vimala Perumal
Cast: Ramesh Kumar, Dhaarshini Sankran, Kalpana Sundraju
Malaysia 2007 | 98 mins | Narrative | English, Malay, Mandarin, & Tamil w/E.S.

Malaysia is home to one of the most exciting independent film scenes in the world today—especially in the digital form—as evidenced by the buzz and awards Malaysian films have been garnering from film festivals around the globe. DANCING BELLS is Deepak Kumaran Menon's follow-up to his impressive debut, THE GRAVEL ROAD. Menon's films concern the socio-economic and cultural challenges that minority Indian communities constantly face in Malaysia.

Uma lives with her single mother and elder teen brother in Brickfields, the derelict Indian district of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. The 11-year-old schoolgirl aspires to be a classical Indian dancer. But can her dreams prevail against the threat of the impending demolition of her neighborhood, as well as the heartbreak over her brother going astray, and an estranged father?

This beautifully realized film showcases authentic performances from a cast of mostly amateur actors. The pressures that bear down upon this marginalized community are daunting, but as this film shows, their resilience pulls them through the darkest moment. Made its New York Premiere at the 30th Asian American International Film Festival. (Winner of NETPAC Special Mention, International Film Festival Rotterdam, 2007)

Official Website: http://www.chalanggai.com