Smeared Type

Audience at Q & A with Jian and Lisa after watching Mulberry Child

All three screenings of Mulberry Child at the Gene Siskel Film Center were sold out.  I was amazed and touched that the audiences of different ages and backgrounds connected with our life stories!

At our 2^nd screening, I was pleased to see a number of Chinese in the audience. I was most eager to hear what they had to say. The moment I stepped down from the podium after Q & A, a young Chinese woman in her 20s stood up from her front row seat and hugged me.

“Thank you for sharing your story,” she said in a low voice. I realized she was crying.

I put my arms around her as she laid her head over my left shoulder and sobbed. Two of her friends stood by, their eyes welled up with tears.

The young woman lifted her head and gave me an embarrassed smile, wiping away her tears.

“It’s OK,” I said, padding her on her back as she lowered her head over my shoulder again.

Lisa and Jian addressing audience's questions

“Just call your mother tonight and tell her you love her, too,” I said, trying to make it light.

A young Chinese couple, both graduate students from UIC, waited patiently as our conversation kept being interrupted by friends who came to give their congratulations and bid farewell. It turned out that they both came from Changchun, the city where I was born.

“We never learned much about the Cultural Revolution,” the wife said. “I feel I get to know my parents much more by watching your film.”

I was deeply moved by their reaction and comments.

More than two dozens of people lingered behind and talked until the staff at the Gene Siskel Film Center called out to close the theatre at 11 p.m.

The last screening was equally moving. Only one or two people left when we started the Q & A. I felt the connection from the audience and took turns with my daughter Lisa to address their questions on China, our relationship, and the impact of the film on us.

The next day, I found one posting from a Chinese woman named Li. I remembered talking to her the night before. She was Lisa’s age. She wrote: “Every Chinese should watch this film.”

Jian with graduate students from IIT

I received numerous moving comments from my friends via email during the week after the screenings. I was so touched that I selected a few each day to forward to my director Susan and executive producer Ellis, stating these are the “love letters of the day.”

Mulberry Child was so well received by the audience that the Gene Siskel Film Center invited us to come back for a weeklong screening from March 30 to April 5, with 11 shows. The Chicago Public Library also invited us to participate in the spring’s One Book, One Chicago program, stating Mulberry Child would be a “wonderful companion” to the selected book, so we formed a three-way partnership.

I’ve committed to do Q & A with Lisa at the last screening of each day during the screening period. I look forward to connect directly with as many viewers as possible.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China, which has been developed into a feature-length documentary film by Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset.

Jian and Jodi who performed Jian as a child met at the theatre at PSIFF

I arrived at the Regal Theatre to attend the 1^st screening of Mulberry Child shortly after 12 noon on Saturday and was surprised to see two long lines of people in front of the entrance. I had never been to this theatre before and thought one had to wait to get in for all the screenings.

“Jennifer,” a man in the line waved to me.

It took me a second to recognize Sean Valla, my film editor. I met Sean quite a few times during the editing process of the film in Los Angeles and was always impressed by his dedication and patience combing through mountains of footage and the endless close ups of my face for all the interviews that my director Susan conducted.

I was thrilled to see him and surprised to learn the two lines were all for entry to the screening of Mulberry Child: one line for ticket holders and the other, people standing by for the possibility of getting in at the last minute, for tickets had been sold out the week before. My heart skipped a beat.

By the time I managed to get into the theatre, my executive producer Ellis and his wife Gillian and Susan were already there. I saw the theatre was nearly full and felt sorry that many people waiting outside wouldn’t be able to come in.

Susan tapped me on my shoulder. “I want you to meet Jodi,” she said.

I looked at the little girl by her side. Jodi performed the 6-year-old me in the film and I had never met her before.

I wrapped Jodi in my arms. “You did a wonderful job,” I murmured in her ear.

Jodi gave her shy smile and looked at me with an expression I had seen so many times on the screen.

Jian and Lisa after Q & A when Jian signed books for interested viewers

I scanned the audience and was thrilled to see a few familiar faces, including Quyen Tran, my cinematographer and her husband, Sam, Eli Bergmann, my book editor, and his girlfriend Lily. They had driven all the way from Los Angeles to watch the film. I also noticed Chaz Ebert sitting next to Ellis, and a couple rows below, Norman Mark and his beautiful wife Grace. I was touched.by all the support.

Half way through the film, Lisa was ushered into the theatre. She had just flown in from Chicago this morning to attend the Q & A and I was relieved that she made it on time.

As it was at the Heartland Film Festival, many people in the audience asked questions about the film, my parents and their views on the Cultural Revolution, and Lisa’s on-going process of identifying with her Chinese roots. When the Q & A session ended, quite a few people lingered behind and continued the discussion. Once Chinese man’s comments particularly touched me.

“I also come from the Northeast of China,” he said, as we shook hands. “I was sent to the countryside for six years,” he continued. “I very much like the presentation of that historical period in your film as it was done sensibly, not an over kill.”

It meant so much to me the remark came from someone who had lived through the Cultural Revolution in China.

Once again, I was overwhelmed and touched by the reaction from the audience.

Selection by Diane Ledet

I’m thrilled and honored to be notified about the selection of Mulberry Child in Diane Ledet’s “Top Ten of 2011″ book list.

Here is Ledet’s posting: http://bookwinked.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/top-ten-2011/.

I’d also like to share some exciting news: Mulberry Child movie, a feature-length documentary based on the book, will come to Chicago in January, 2012. It will be shown as part of the documentary series at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Screening schedule is as follows:

8 P.M., Saturday, Jan. 21;

8 P.M. Tuesday, Jan. 24; and

8 P.M., Thursday, Jan. 26.

Director Susan Morgan Cooper will come from Los Angeles to attend all the screenings, so will be Lisa and me. We will be all at the Q & A after each show. Hope to see you at one of these screenings!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Mulberry Child movie is directed by Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset.

Little Jodi who played Jian

Director Susan Morgan Cooper and cast–who played little Jian and her parents in Mulberry Child speak about their experience behind the scene. Click on the link below to view the interviews.

Director and Cast Talk about the Making of the Film

Enjoy!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. For more information, visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com, www.mulberrychild.com, and www.moraquest.com

It’s been a very exciting and busy time since the completion of Mulberry Child movie in October. After the moving reception from the audience at the Heartland Film Festival, I’ve received quite a few requests for talks about my book and the film at special groups and for screenings at university campuses. I’m thrilled and touched. I look forward to embarking on a journey to share my story, and along the way, to empower more people to overcome adversities in their lives.

Here is a link to the trailer of the film:

www.mulberrychildmovie.com

Enjoy!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. The book has been developed into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and is narrated by Jacqueline Bisset. For more information, visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com, www.moraquest.com or www.mulberrychild.com.

The English version of The Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China (2011-2015) recently became available. It was translated and released by the Central Compilation & Translation Press (CCTP), Beijing, China. Realizing that this is a very important document, I signed an agreement with CCTP to bring the English version to the West. I was very impressed by the broad scope of the plan and the grand vision it has revealed. I’m cautiously optimistic, knowing the big gap between planning and execution.

The Twelfth Five-Year Plan was “compiled on the basis of the Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. This plan mainly sets forth the state’s strategic intentions, clarifies the focus of the government’s work and guides the behavior of market players. It is a grand blueprint for [China’s] economic and social development over the next five years; an action plan for the people of all [China’s] ethnic groups; and an important basis for the government to fulfill its duties in economic regulation, market supervision, social administration and public services.

Image via Wikipedia

I think those who are interested in China should all take a look at, if not make a good study of, this document.

The digital version in English is now available at Amazon and BN.com and will soon be at iTunes Store. Here is a link to the posting at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/FIVE-YEAR-NATIONAL-ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT-ebook/dp/B0063NXHM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320895087&sr=8-1

Jian Ping, Founder and President of MoraQuest LLC, and author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Mulberry Child movie, a feature-length documentary directed by Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset, had its world premiere at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis in October. It had a SOLD OUT screening and received a standing ovulation from the audience.

Tickets to Mulberry Child sold out at AMC theatre

Nothing is more reassuring and gratifying than finishing the screening of your film at a film festival with a SOLD OUT show and a standing ovation from the audience. That was the exciting experience I had at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, a well-respected festival by filmmakers and film patrons at which Mulberry Child had its world premiere.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Susan Morgan Cooper, director of the feature-length documentary film based on my book Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China, repeatedly said to the enthusiastic audience. She wiped away tears of joy and appreciation as she faced the audience in this packed AMC theatre in Castleton Square.

Jian, Lisa and Susan at Heartland Film Festival Gala

My daughter, Lisa, and I stood by Susan’s side, along with Louise Henderson, director of the festival’s documentary program who introduced us to the audience. We were all touched and thrilled by the response we received. I must say I was also overwhelmed and humbled. All my concerns and worries about exposing my life and that of my family evaporated at that moment. Even Lisa, a reluctant participant throughout the filmmaking process, came on board, now that she saw the positive impact that the film had on others.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com to watch the trailer of Mulberry Child. For more information on Jian Ping and her book, visit www.mulberrychild.com and www.moraquest.com.

Image via Wikipedia

By Ellis Goodman

It seems the whole world has mourned the passing of Steve Jobs at the age of 56.  Not surprising when you see how the foresight, innovation and invention of this one man and his company – Apple Inc – has transformed the world as we know it.  Steve Jobs was undoubtedly the world’s most influential businessman of the last 20 years.

He has given us the user-friendly Mac Computer, the iPod, the iPad, and the iPhone, all of which have revolutionized communications and, in the process, have created new industries and destroyed others.  His mission was not to find out what consumers wanted, but to tell them what they should have and, in the process, he has changed our world.  There is a million times more computer power in one hand-held iPhone device than there was in the computer that NASA used to launch Apollo 13.   That is how far we have come. 

The iPhone and the iPad have become the partners of globalization, allowing us to communicate instantly around the world, receive and send information, and allow businessmen to function 24/7.  These devices also allow us to photo, video, and video conference with each other, as well as adding thousands of application options – everything from currency translation to flight information, to weather conditions, to playing games across the world with your children and grandchildren.  This free flow of information has also had a major impact on world politics by making it increasingly difficult for authoritarian regimes to control the flow of information, allowing whole populations to rise up in revolution, protests and demonstrations, to remove leaders and overcome oppressive governments and dictators.

The global success of Apple Inc over the past decade and the enormous profitability resulting from the introductions of ever-increasingly innovative devices, has made this American company one of the most profitable and successful in the world.  The stock market valuation of the company exceeds $350 billion.  The company’s cash on hand – multi-billions of dollars – exceed the reserves of many sovereign states around the world.  What a stunning tribute to the technological creativity and marketing skills of the USA.  In past times, this great American company would be a driving force for American jobs and American productivity.  But not now unfortunately.  Apple Inc outsources the vast majority of its manufacturing processes, primarily to Asia – China and Japan.  The cost of sales in the year to June 2011 totaled some $64 billion, nearly all paid to Apple’s outsourcing partners.  We can only imagine what an impact $64 billion of American production would have on the future of American workers, their lives and families. 

Of course Apple has created these outsourcing partnerships around the world to obtain their products at the best possible prices, to maximize their profitability and to be able to compete with their many competitors.  Maybe these outsourcing arrangements would be less attractive if China would allow their currency to float at probably 20% or more than the current valuation against the dollar.  In those circumstances, maybe Apple Inc would have considered or would still consider producing their products in the U.S.  One thing is certain however, until such time as we can find a solution to the issue of how we bring jobs back to America, our economy will continue to stagnate, and the decline in the standard of living will bring further suffering to the American people.

Steve Jobs and Apple Inc have had an incredible success and they’re only just at the beginning.  It is impossible to contemplate the changes in technology that will take place in the next 20 years.  How much more satisfying this success would have been if Jobs had been able to provide jobs in America.

Ellis M. Goodman, author of Bear Any Burden: www.bearanyburden.com

Wang Jisi giving a talk in Chicago

Professor Wang Jisi, Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University, gave a talk on the grand strategy of China earlier this week in Chicago. The event was organized by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs.

Several hundred people packed the meeting room at the Peninsula Hotel. Wang, who is currently at Princeton University as a visiting scholar, captured the full attention of the audience. He talked about China’s core interests today, namely sovereignty, security and development; China’s domestic priorities and foreign policies, and the focus of Chinese government on “the improvement of Chinese people‘s living standards, welfare and happiness via social justice.”

The key issues of the talk was covered in his article titled China’s Search for a Grand Strategy which was released in the Foreign Affairs, March/April 2011. Read details from link below: http://www.ciss.pku.edu.cn/en/DocumentView.aspx?id=666.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Mulberry Child has been made into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and is narrated by Jacqueline Bisset. Visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com for more details. For more information about the book, visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com

Mulberry Child movie, directed by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset, is finally completed! The world premiere will be at the Heartland Film Festival on October 16, 2011 in Indianapolis and the film will be screened three times at the Festival.

Sunday, October 16, 5:45 PM at AMC Showplace 17, 4325 South Meridian Street,

Monday, October 17, 3:30 PM at AMC Castleton Square, 6020 E. 82nd St.

Friday, October 21, 7:15 PM at AMC Castleton Square, 6020 82nd St.

Check out the details at the link below.

http://heartland.slated.com/2011/films/mulberrychild_susanmorgancooper_heartland2011

On the right is the postcard of the film!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A memoir of China. Visit www.moraquest.com, www.mulberrychild.com for more information.