MAINELAND
directed by Miao Wang, China, Usa 2017, 89’
Filmed in China and the United States, Maineland is a coming-of-age of two rich and cosmopolitan Chinese teenagers who move to an American college in the rural Maine. They are part of a very large group of Asian students enrolling in American private schools. The extrovert Stella and the introspective Harry are looking for a Western education, avoiding the feared admission exam to Chinese colleges and pursuing the dream of an experience abroad. Over time, their visions of the American dream take a downturn once they confront with a sense of alienation, cultural misunderstandings and identity conflicts, expressed to the director through profound reflections on the country in which they live and the country of origin.
Discussant:
Giovanni B. Andornino (University of Turin)
