Hearth of the Lion (Premiere - Saturday Evening)

A Celebration of Chinese Film, Food and Culture

For the encore performance on Sunday, November 28 at 2:30 - 4:30PM: https://www.showpass.com/hearthofthelion2

Join us for the world premiere of Hearth of the Lion, and experience the Chinese lion dance and food that inspired the short film.

Hearth of the Lion is a follow-up to the award-winning short film Pulled Strings, and is the second short film in a series that blends together traditional Chinese food and culture. Directed by Calgary filmmaker Vicki Van Chau, Hearth of the Lion illustrates the bond between three brothers, with their dedication, discipline and passion on display, as they embody the powerful movements of the lion and the fire of the wok hearth. Starring Chef Chun Yang from Kam Han Szechuan House, and lion dancers Alex So and Jonathan So from Jing Wo Cultural Association.

The film will be preceded by Steps of the Lion, a short documentary directed by recent SAIT film graduate Suzy Chim. A lion dance performance and demonstration by members of Jing Wo will accompany the film screenings, followed by a Q&A moderated by Carmen Cheng (@foodkarmablog) with the filmmakers, and representatives from Jing Wo and Kam Han.

Following the screening and performances will be a food tasting of the delicious Spicy Crab Pot featured in the short film, a signature dish of Kam Han. A vegetarian Tofu option is also available.

Special thanks to Calgary Arts Development for their generous support of this event. 

 

About the filmmakers:

Vicki Van Chau is a filmmaker and artist based in Calgary, Alberta, and has produced and directed several award-winning short films that have screened across Canada and internationally including Pulled Strings (2018) and Paper Lantern (2020). As a Chinese-Vietnamese Canadian, she has been guided by the teachings and traditions that have been passed down through her family, which has been the foundation of her identity and work. Her family and cultural identity has been a core inspiration in her artistic practice and helps her to promote the appreciation of both Chinese and Vietnamese culture through a uniquely Canadian perspective, focussing on the intricate visuals and sounds of each aspect she explores. For more information, go to vickichau.com.

Suzy Chim is a SAIT film graduate of 2021 and is currently attending the University of Calgary to complete her bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies. Steps of the Lion, a 2021 Rosie award nominee, was co-produced and directed by Suzy with the aim to provide more exposure to Chinese lion dancing and the culture surrounding the art form. Growing up in a predominately white environment while experiencing a vast disconnect with her own culture, Suzy intends to shed more light on other Asian Canadians experiencing similar situations, through mainstream media and film.

 

About the Q&A Moderator:

Carmen Cheng is an HR professional who comes from a long line of food lovers. As a woman who is Canadian born Chinese, she believes in learning about different cultures through understanding and honouring their culinary stories. About 10 years ago, Carmen started @foodkarmablog on Instagram and Twitter to get to know more about the food scene in Alberta. Since then she has shared her food adventures on various forms of media and publications including print, online, and television.

 

About Jing Wo Cultural Association:

Jing Wo Cultural Association is a Calgary-based, volunteer organization that was established in 1980. Our goal is to first, promote Chinese culture in order to allow younger generations of Chinese to learn and to retain a part of their cultural dynamic. Second, to allow the exposure of Chinese culture in the great cultural mosaic that is Canada. Third, to allow elder generations to remember their homeland, and finally, to train the mind, body and spirit with exercise for good health, discipline and patience.

 

About Kam Han Szechuan House:

Kam Han Szechuan House was founded by Mr. & Mrs. Ng in 1988 in the Ramsay district of Calgary. With a traditional Chinese fine dining concept, we make fresh food from scratch every day. We have been serving exquisite traditional Szechuan cooking and various Asian fusion cuisine to Calgarians and visitors from all over the world for over three decades. Our signature dishes include Szechuan boiled beef, spicy fried crab, and handmade pork dumplings. We also specialize in exotic cuisine from Hubei and Hunan provinces. We welcome you to come by our restaurant and enjoy an authentic Chinese dining experience. Our customers can celebrate special events at our elegant restaurant or bring the occasion home with delivery, curb side pickup and takeout. Customers with food allergies can special order their food without gluten, nuts or dairy based ingredients. We also offer catering service for all occasions, so give us a call and we will bring mouth watering Chinese delicacies to your party! For more information, go to kamhan.ca.

 

COVID-19 Protocols:

Please note that this event is only accessible under the Restrictions Exemption Program and will require people ages 12 and older to be fully vaccinated, provide a valid negative test result or proof of medical exemption. The QR Code Vaccine Record will be the only valid Alberta proof of vaccination accepted as of November 15. If you have not done so already, visit covidrecords.alberta.ca to download your QR Code prior to attending the event. For adults ages 18 or over, you will also need to show valid identification that matches the vaccine record. It is also mandatory that audience members wear a mask at all times, unless eating and/or drinking at their seats or at provided tables.