Smeared Type

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.

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.

Little Jian in re-enactment

I’m so excited to share the news that Mulberry Child (MC) movie will start its premiere at the Heartland Film Festival on October 16 and will have two more screenings at the Festival on October 17 and October 21!

Of course, we are all excited about Jacqueline Bisset, winner of Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, to be the narrator of the film.

Susan Morgan Cooper, Director of MC, said: “I am delighted to return to Heartland’s nurturing and very classy film festival … The atmosphere of the festival inspires many lasting friendships.”

Susan’s last film An Unlikely Weapon: The Eddie Adams Story, was also shown at the Festival when it was first released.

Teenage Jian dreaming of flying away

It was a healing process for me to put the memories of the hardship I endured during China’s Cultural Revolution on paper. The book is also a legacy for my daughter—my effort to connect her to my family roots, and teach her the importance of resilience. I’m amazed by Susan’s wonderful job in expanding the film to include my life with my daughter in Chicago today. She successfully weaved my intentions for the book into episodes of my life stories in China and in the U.S.

The movie is a unique hybrid of documentary and narrative film, using rare archival footage, photographs taken surreptitiously by Li Zhensheng, and dramatic re-enactment. Susan succeeded in presenting the terrifying days of the Cultural Revolution and my fear as a little girl for my family. What Susan finds most compelling is what happens when the trauma of such a past haunts the future and impact my relationship with my daughter.

Check out the film at the Heartland Film Festival at

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

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com, www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child movie is directed by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset.

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Mulberry Child, the feature-length documentary based on my book Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China, is finally coming to its completion! Last week, Jacqueline Bisset did the voice narration for the film and this week, the filmmakers are working on the final sound mix and color treatment. I can hardly wait to see the final cut!

I’m delighted to learn about the involvement of Jacqueline Bisset. Not only because she is a well-known actress and will bring more appeal to the film, but also the fact that she replaced much of the narration which was given by me. I must say that I’m much relieved, although my producer and director have been most supportive and encouraging about my voice and accent.

I very much enjoyed the film making process and loved working with the crew, especially Susan Morgan Cooper, my director. However, I also realized my limitations. One of the most humbling experiences was my struggle with the pronunciation of certain words.

Susan interviewing Jian Ping

I still remember vividly a roomful of people helping me say “a long gown,” which somehow, became something like “long gone” when I said it. In the end, we had to change the word to “long robe”. We laughed about it so hard that Susan and I were literally in tears.

I did learn to speak slower and clearer, which is of tremendous importance to me, for I’ve given and continue to give frequent talks about my book, China in the 60′s/7-’s and today, and other social and cultural issues related to China at schools, organizations and book groups. I even gave a few motivational speeches to large groups, sharing the resilience demonstrated by my family–the mulberry children who survived and thrived like mulberry trees–to encourage people to overcome the hurdles in their lives. And I’ve learned just as much from many people in the audience by our interactions and conversations.

As for the film, there are many personally important and moving moments for me: re-enacted scenes on my grandmother, Nainai, a woman with bound feet but boundless love, my father, Hou Kai, who passed away right after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and my mother, Gu Wenxiu, who was stoic and strict when I was a child and a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother today at 83.

After the hard work of a year and a half, a feature-length (86 minutes) documentary has been produced by a strong, professional team. The result of collective efforts, with the vision of a creative director. I feel very fortunate to have their belief, support, and dedication!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child has been developed into a feature-length documentary film and will be released in 2011.

Me, giving speech at the commencement

I had the honor to give the commencement speech at the College of Arts and Science at Loyola University (LU) on Friday, May 13^th.

Joyce and Laurie, who I had been in communication with, greeted me upon my arrival and took me to the room where all the faculty members who would be seated on stage were waiting for their line-up. I had the opportunity to meet President Garanzini, Dean Fennell, and others. Although I had obtained two graduate and one undergraduate degrees, I had never attended any commencement ceremony dressed in academic apparels. I was quite excited.  

Dean Fennell giving greeting

It was great to see students getting ready for their defining moment with excitement. The auditorium was full when we walked in. The proud graduating students were seated in the middle, and their family members and friends were seated on both sides of the raised benches. My husband Francis, daughter Lisa, and close friends Jing, Gillian and Ellis were also among the audience. I felt like I were one of the students ready to embark on a new phase in life.

Me, speaking at the commencement

At 10 a.m., the commencement ceremony started as planned. Dean Fennell gave the greeting, followed by student speaker Erica Grandados-De La Rosa, and me, giving the keynote speech. After the conferring of degrees to nearly 600 students majoring different fields in arts, Father Garanzini gave the blessing. When Rob Bucholz, MC and Professor of History, announced the closing of the ceremony, I was still immersed in the spirit of celebration.

Faculty, students, and families at the commencement

The key points I’d like to have them walk away with include 1) embrace different cultures and people of different ethnic origins; 2) be strong and resilient; and 3) dream big dreams no matter how improbable they seem.

I was moved when many members of the faculty came over to give me their positive feedback on my speech. I felt very honored and privileged to have this opportunity, sharing a few life lessons I had learned living in two countries and two cultures.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.moraquest.com, www.mulberrychild.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been made into a feature-length documentary film and will be released in 2011.

I gave a talk about Mulberry Child to the Glenview Sunrise Robtary Club at the Glenview Country Club yesterday. I was touched by the Rotarians’ interest in my story and China in general.

All the photos are courtesy of Richard Hill, Public Relations Chair of the club. Thanks, Richard!

Presenting Mulberry Child

Sharing family story

 

Joel Levin, President of Glenview Sunrise Rotary Club, comments on Jian's talk

Jill Brickman, Chair of Program, makes closing remark

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. For more information, visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child is being developed into a feature-length docucumentay film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.  

By Jian Ping

Talking at Tri-city AAUW at St. Charles Country Club

When Diane contacted me to give a talk about my book Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China at the Tri-City American Association of University Women (AAUW) in the western suburb of Chicago, I readily agreed. My grandmother, Nainai, and my mother are two of the most influential role models of my life. And I’m always enthusiastic to share my story with other women.

The branch of the Tri-City, St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva, organized the event at the St. Charles Country Club. By the time I got there for the event scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. last Saturday, most of the registered attendees were already there. Diane and I had communicated via emails many times. When I finally met her in person, I felt as if we had been friends for quite some time.

AAUW members and women from the area getting ready for the talk

We started with an afternoon tea, with a variety of mini sandwiches, pastries, and fruits, with hot chocolate to dip them in. Ten large round tables were set up, with each seating ten women. I chatted with several attendees at the book signing table and was touched to see a couple of families were there with three generations of women.

Christine, President of the branch, gave a wonderful introduction to my book—capturing the essence of the story better than I would. For me, it was a moving moment of connection and resonation.

I shared with the audience images of my family, posters and photos of the Cultural Revolution era, and addressed the questions raised at the end of the session. I was touched by the audience’s interest and engagement and very much enjoyed the experience.  

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China, which is being developed into a feature-length documentary movie by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011. For more information, please visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com.

By Ellis Goodman

I’m certainly a film buff and have been all my life.  But my interest and excitement about the annual Oscar presentations has waned over the past few years.  Given the other multitude of award programs – the Golden Globes, BAFTA, etc., the Oscar winners are, to my mind, more or less a foregone conclusion.    My forecast for this year includes: Best picture – The King’s Speech;  Best Actor – Colin Firth;  Best Actress – Natalie Portman, and I don’t think I’d be far out with the rest of the nominations as well.

The fact is that the major blockbuster movies from the studios – the science fiction spectaculars, special effects, animated movies, and the Harry Potters, etc., are often let out of the nominations even though this is where the industry derives its income.  The nominations therefore usually cover what are considered the “art” films and smaller less costly productions, promoted and hyped mercilessly by the likes of Harvey Weinstein – an expert at the Oscar game.

However, there is still one category that is not a foregone conclusion – the Documentary Awards.  Since I’m the executive producer of a documentary feature in current production, “Mulberry Child,” and am involved in another successful documentary, “Louder Than a Bomb,” I was intrigued to read this year’s nominations and responses from their respective directors, producers, etc.  The expected “big name” documentaries such as “Waiting for Superman,” and “The Tillman Story” did not make the grade.  The contenders turned out to be smaller budget movies from lesser known or unknown filmmakers and include “Waste Land” about a Brazilian artist working in a massive garbage dump in Rio de Janeiro.  Then there is “Gasland,” one of the many investigative movies about the dangers of natural gas drilling, which apparently has created a tirade of protests from the gas industry.  The life of the mysterious artist, Banksy, a successful London street artist, is reflected in a movie called “Exit Through The Gift Shop.”  But the most likely winner is the more commercially successful documentary, “Inside Job,” the investigation of the economic crisis and financial meltdown. 

The producers and directors of these movies have been speaking out on the Oscar nominating process described by one director as “arcane.” There is a Documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with its own executive committee, but many of the nominees have described the nominating procedure as a mystery, even for people in the business.  The New York Times in a recent report on the Oscar documentaries, included a response from one of the directors of a nominated documentary as saying, “You don’t get to peek behind the curtain.” 

Who are the jurors and how do these movies get nominated?  How many documentaries are viewed?  Is it just through a number of votes or does the executive committee make the final decision?  Who selects the jurors and who votes for the executive committee?  How close are they to the major studios or major filmmakers?

I think there are probably numerous other questions relating to the process, but one thing is certain, it’s going to be very difficult to foretell the winners in the Documentary category this year.  During 2011, our movie, “Mulberry Child” will be released, and hopefully we will have a shot at getting nominated for the 2012 Awards.

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