Ever since he shocked the world in the 1980’s with his entirely black designs, Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto has remained at the forefront of the fashion industry.
Since coming back from the brink of bankruptcy, his clothes have gained newfound attention, especially from young ‘fashionistas’. In Japan and other Asian countries as well as the rest of the world, social media is awash with images of his looks, a refreshing departure from the increasing “uniformity” of fashion today.
However, at 75 years old, Yamamoto, the original rebel in black, who considers himself not as an artists but a craftsman, contemplates how to continue this craftsmanship in his beloved Japan as he feels it has been replaced by cheap and fast fashion.
Following Yamamoto during his 2018 collection, ‘Rebel in Black’ is an exclusive behind the scenes look into his creative process, revealing the timeless philosophy underpinning his works. After more than 40 years of rebelling against fashion and form, will the master craftsman be able to pass on his exceptional talent and skills to his young Japanese protégés and are they ready?
China’s rapid growth has seen it rise to become a leader in fashion and the arts. Craft a Destiny presents the stories of Song Huaigui, Zhu Zheqin and Liu Wen, pioneering women whose passion and creativity has helped redefine the nation’s art and fashion landscapes. Song Huaigui was a fashion trendsetter, introducing the contemporary concepts of fashion to China. Zhu Zheqin is a musician and was the first artist in China to release a record internationally since the 1940s. Liu Wen is a bonafide supermodel, having graced runways all over the world, and was named in the Top 5 highest earning models by Forbes. In this film, their trailblazing stories are told and explored, revealing their struggles and how they overcame them to put China on the map.
China is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. In an age of rapid urbanisation, the guardians of its traditions are striving to protect a culture built on centuries of customs through food, art and everyday life. Transmitters of Heritage presents stories of seven individuals who come from varied walks of life – from entrepreneurs, chefs, opera instructors to horse herders, these are the luminaries protecting the future of their heritage for the coming generations.
“There’s only one goal, and that’s to get rich!” exclaims Xue, who is determined to get rich by any means necessary.
An unscrupulous Taiwanese businessman living China, Xue has it all: a beautiful young wife, an adorable 8-year-old son, an obedient 22-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, and a giving and submissive mistress who waits patiently in the wings; and with Chinese billionaires eager to invest in luxury resorts for Xue to manage, life is great!
But with the unstable Chinese economy shifting, everything starts to go awry…can Xue keep his world from imploding around him?
Change is coming to the heart of Borneo. We follow Peluk Anak Apeh, the last of the famed Bidayuh Ring Ladies, as the construction of a dam drives her from her ancestral home in the world’s oldest rain-forest to a modern settlement. Peluk struggles to adapt to her new environment and longs for the vanishing world she left behind.
But her new life also brings new opportunities: A famous local fashion designer, Miss Leng Lagenda, discovers Peluk and the Ring Ladies, she creates a Ring Ladies collection. Leng travels to Borneo to meet Ring Lady Peluk. Together they embark on an astonishing journey of personal discovery with the mission in preserving the Ring lady Heritage. Together these two very different women introduce the unique culture of the Ring Ladies, through fashion, to a modern world.
On the surface, Jeff is a success! At the height of his career as a financial analyst, Jeff bankrolls an annual salary in the 7 digits. But deep down, he lives a numbing existence, feeling empty and devoid of purpose.
One day, Jeff decides to walk away from it all, trading in briefcase for boxers, as he trains to become a Mixed Martial Artist. A year later Jeff becomes the first Taiwanese to enter MMA’s professional leagues.
For his traditional family, this decision is irresponsible! His parents are disappointed and their relationship becomes strained. Yet Jeff remains steadfast and determined to challenge and redefine what society deems successful.
But when his aging body begins to betray him, when naysayers continue to come at him, when his savings run low, will “The Machine” run out of steam?
With the development of modern medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has received more and more attention in the global medical community. However, many Chinese people misunderstand traditional Chinese medicine, and believe it to be outdated and ineffective. In China the future of traditional Chinese medicine faces many problems, including resource destruction and a decline in emerging practitioners. China’s Super Herbs aims to enhance understanding of Chinese herbs and traditional Chinese medicine.
The film follows the emotional journey of a surrogate mother from India. Right from the day she signs a ‘bond’ that puts her womb on rent, through her nine months of ‘bonded’ labour. The film depicts how globalization and modern science is instigating situations of parenthood that mankind has never confronted before.
Djalu Gurruwiwi is an aging elder in a line 60,000 years long who is running out of time to pass on the Yidaki Songlines entrusted to him for the future of his people, before it dies with him. His sons and community, struggling to come to terms with the consequences of colonisation, are lost. When Djalu breaks with tradition to try and save it, world famous musician Gotye becomes an unexpected family member and helps heal Djalu’s sons and amplify his songs to the world.