The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) announces a slate of new documentaries on PBS and World Channel this fall. CAAM presents innovative, engaging Asian American works on public television through our dynamic documentary programs. CAAM’s award-winning public TV programs are seen by millions of viewers a year across the United States, including 47 documentary shows in the last four years. CAAM is a member of the National Minority Consortia, designated by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to provide diverse programming to the Public Broadcast Service (PBS).
“CAAM is proud to showcase these illuminating documentaries on an esteemed PBS program such as POV, as well as the brand-new public TV documentary series Doc World on World Channel,” said CAAM’s Director of Programs Donald Young. “This fall, we have a strong group of international works by Asian Americans, including stories from Japan, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nepal and China.”
CAAM is thrilled to be a part of the World Channel’s new showcase of nonfiction storytelling from around the globe, DOC WORLD. The curated collection of 10 documentaries kicks off on September 18, 2016, with the premiere of the highly-anticipated film, The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor by acclaimed filmmaker Arthur Dong, who was CAAM’s Spotlight Honoree at CAAMFest 2015.
The following documentaries will premiere on PBS and World Channel and stream online and on the PBS app this fall – Check local listings for exact times and airdates for all films:
The Birth of Saké by Erik Shirai– September 5, 2016 on POV (Co-presented by CAAM)
Go behind the scenes at Japan’s Yoshida Brewery, where a brotherhood of artisans, ranging from 20 to 70, spend six months in nearly monastic isolation as they follow an age-old process to create sake, the nation’s revered rice wine. A co-presentation with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and Winner, Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Director, 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. #TheBirthofSakePBS
The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor by Arthur Dong– September 18, 2016 on World Channel (Co-presented by CAAM)
Set against the backdrop of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge reign of terror, The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor chronicles a powerful journey of love, loss and reconciliation. The years encapsulating this horrific period are seen through the eyes of Dr. Haing S. Ngor, who escaped to America and recreated his experiences in The Killing Fields, winning an Oscar® for his first film. He became the de facto worldwide ambassador for truth and justice in his homeland, only to be gunned down in an alley in Chinatown Los Angeles – a case still surrounded by transnational conspiracy theories. theories. This film was acquired by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) for World Channel. #KillingFieldsDoc #DocWorld
Among the Believers – October 16, 2016 on World Channel (Co-presented by CAAM)
An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque in Pakistan, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age. Intimate and shocking, Among the Believers offers rare insights into the ideological battles shaping Pakistan and the Muslim world. theories. This film is funded by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). #AmongtheBelievers #DocWorld
Hooligan Sparrow by Nanfu Wang – October 17, 2016 on POV (Co-presented by CAAM)
The danger is palpable as intrepid young filmmaker Nanfu Wang follows maverick activist Ye Haiyan (aka Hooligan Sparrow) on her band of colleagues to southern China as they seek justice in the case of six elementary school girls allegedly sexually abused by their principal. A co-presentation with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), and Official Selection of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. #HooliganSparrowPBS
Tashi’s Turbine by Amitabh Joshi – November 13*, 2016 on World Channel (Co-presented by CAAM)
Tashi Bista dreams to install a makeshift wind turbine in Namdok, a remote village nestled high amongst the Himalayas of Nepal. Namdok, battered by wind and cold, has been in darkness for centuries. With very limited resources, he is determined to bring lights to Namdok in an effort to prove himself to the skeptical village community.Tashi’s Turbine is a character driven film that shows the impact of one man’s dream for light, in a village waiting for development. theories. This film is funded by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). #TashisTurbine #DocWorld
*the original post had a Nov. 6 airdate.
About CAAM
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. We do this by funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting works in film, television and digital media.