I Have Graduated

Sam C. Mac4.0

English subtitles for the Director’s Cut are finally finished, after over a year of work. Thanks to the many who helped. Now in the process of setting up screenings later this year for both this and the same director’s Tiananmen series. If you’re a programmer, and you’re interested in these essential works of Chinese independent documentary, please reach out. I’m working directly with the filmmaker—and another supportive organization—to get this work seen more broadly. Streaming will come after that.

Sam C. Mac4.0

I was much more satisfied with my introduction for this, in part because the film doesn’t demand nearly as much instruction for audiences to understand and connect with it. That allowed me to focus on the story of these filmmakers—Shi Jian especially—and on why they’ve left such an indelible mark on Chinese documentary history, despite the suppression of many of their best works. I’m also very grateful that documentary scholar Wang Chi could fill in for me during the Q&A and offer brilliant post-screening commentary (which I listened to over speakerphone in an Uber on the way to the airport 😭). The screening was packed, and I’ve already heard and read so many wonderful accounts of how deeply the film moved people. I’ll be passing them all along to the filmmakers.

Sam C. Mac3.5

Acquired the original master tape of this film, labeled as “first cut.” Unclear at this time if it’s the same tape that I already had digitally transferred. Along with Tiananmen, the original version of I Have Graduated will be made freely and responsibly available later this year. ✌🏻