New Releases - October 2009 - Learningemall.com

CHINESE CULTURE& HISTORYON THE MOVE: THECENTRAL BALLET OFCHINABy Merrill BrockwayChinese art and culture has hadthousands of years to develop, but ballet isthe youngest of the "100 flowers" inChinese art. On the Move captures dancehistory in-the-making as the Central Balletof China makes its American premiere. Asthese spirited dancers travel to New YorkCity, their magical performances re-definedance as an international language and abridge between cultures. At the same time,the corps delights in its first experiencewith contemporary western dance.For the superb Central Ballet of Chinadancers, their American debut means notonly an opportunity to perform, but alsothe chance to create an interculturalexchange with other dancers. On TheMove documents their journey as theyintroduce Chinese ballet to Americanaudiences and, in turn, experience for thefirst time the rich diversity of Americandance - jazz, modern, African and evenbreak dancing. The dancers approach thestrange new dance forms with thediscipline of professionals and thecuriosity of children. In this beautiful film,their tour becomes an overview ofcontemporary American dance as theyvisit and rehearse in the studios of AlvinAiley, Paul Taylor and George Ballanchineand learn the straw hat and canechoreography of Broadway's GracielaDaniele.The fascinating history of Chinese danceunfolds through interviews with danceinstructors, teachers and the dancersthemselves. Traditional Chinese folkdance tells stories, reflecting the history ofthe country's one billion people. This folktradition, the formal styles of Russian,French and American ballet and theCultural Revolution are all sightedinfluences in today's Chinese ballet. Thepioneer of Chinese dance, Madame Dai AiLian, reveals the reaction which balletreceived when she first introduced it inChina: "People laughed at arabesque."Today the Central Ballet is revered as acultural treasure. And unlike Americanballet companies where stars and rivalriesare the norm, the Central Ballet is aclose-knit extended family. At a very youngage children leave their families and travelto Beijing to study dance. From that timeon the dancers will live, train and performtogether, building the spirit and dedicationwhich crosses all international boundaries.On the Move is a remarkable film offeringa fresh view of Chinese dance and culture.A classic addition to classes in dance,dance history, cultural history and Chinesestudies, it is also perfect for generalaudiences of all ages.Reviews• "East and West captured in instantquintessential contrast." - WashingtonPost"Watching On the Move is like taking acram course in the art of dance." - SanshaAnawalt, Los Angeles Times"As a showcase for the young Chinesecompany, the documentary is charming." -John O'Connor, New York TimesAwards• Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival;• Crystal Apple Award, NationalEducational Film FestivalItem no. : YG08880106Format : DVD (Color)Duration : 60 minutesAudience : Grade 7 or aboveCopyright : 2009StdBkNo : 9781559748049Price : USD 133.00CHRISTIANITYSECRETS OF THE DEAD:MICHELANGELOREVEALEDMichelangelo's involvement with aclandestine fellowship trying to reform theCatholic Church from within put him atodds with powerful officials who held hislivelihood and life in their hands.'Michelangelo Revealed' paints a newpicture of brave religious expression,personal vendettas, careful cover-ups anda most gifted artist desperately trying toreconcile his loyalty to the church with hisown belief about salvation.Item no.Format: NH06582007: DVD (Color, ClosedCaptioned): 60 minutesDurationCopyright : 2009Price : USD 77.00CULINARY ARTSCHEFS A 'FIELD: SEASON 4Chefs A' Field one of the first in thecooking genre to focus on environmentalissues pertaining to food, travel, andlifestyle, showcases America's best chefswho, visit local farmers and fishermen tolearn about eco-friendly foods. Then, backto the kitchen for behind-the-scenescooking lessons, where the professionaltechniques of the restaurant kitchen aresimplified to inspire people off all ages andskill levels to get cooking.Item no.Format: TV06581620: 2 DVDs (Color, ClosedCaptioned): 390 minutesDurationCopyright : 2009Price : USD 91.00COOK'S COUNTRY -SEASON 2Welcome to the home of Cook's Country, arenovated 1806 farmhouse with a fullworking test kitchen, a live audience, andthe odd neighbor who stops by withcooking problems that need immediateattention. Join host Christopher Kimballand the chefs from America's Test Kitchenas they turn their no-nonsense approachto cooking to the American repertoire,turning bad food into great food throughcareful testing.Item no.Format: MH06581626: 2 DVDs (Color, ClosedCaptioned): 345 minutesDurationCopyright : 2009Price : USD 70.00CULTURALSTUDIESBIRTH OF LANGUAGEBy Paul JayWhat is the meaning of language? Howand where did it begin? This highly originaland challenging film examines thesequestions as it explores human evolutionand the development of language. TheBirth of Language uses a uniquecombination of extraordinary documentaryfootage, expert interviews and dramaticre-enactments to unravel the fascinatingorigins of language, the essentialdifferences between human and animalcommunication and the relationshipbetween language and thought.Featuring such renowned experts asanthropologists Jane Goodall andSherwood Washburn, the film comparesthe special language ability of humans tothe instinctual and involuntary form ofcommunication used by animals. Theoriesare illustrated by remarkable animalfootage including the famous Chantek apeexperiment in which an orangutan istaught to communicate with American SignLanguage. The varied informationpresented in The Birth of Languagestrongly supports Charles Darwin'stheories on evolution and naturalselection.Presenting complex social and biologicalconcepts in a logical and accessibleformat, The Birth of Language explains themystery that sets the human race apartfrom all other animals: the ability to thinkand translate our abstract ideas intoconcrete realities.Item no. : NT08880065Format : DVD (Color)Duration : 58 minutesAudience : Grade 7 or aboveCopyright : 2009StdBkNo : 155974801XPrice : USD 133.00________________________________________________________________________________________________________Email: inquiry@learningemall.comLearning Rendezvous LimitedWebsites: http://www.learningemall.com & http://www.learningemall.com.hk11