Blog

Excerpt: The Alim Qasimov Ensemble in concert at Asia Society New York on Mar. 12, 2010. (3 min., 57 sec.)

Alim Qasimov, Innovator in Tradition

Azerbaijan's great singer explains the mugham tradition to a Western audience.
L to R: Arun Kumar, Parag Saxena, and Girish Vanvari at the Asia Society on March 2, 2010. (Elsa Ruiz/Asia Society)

The Road to Fiscal Consolidation in India

Will the 2010 Indian Union Budget help foster a growth-oriented economy?
Actress Zhao Tao (L) and director Jia Zhangke (R) discuss their multi-film collaboration at Asia Society New York on Mar. 6, 2010 (7 min., 31 sec.).(Photo: Suzanna Finley/Asia Society)

Zhao Tao: The Quiet Heroine of Jia Zhangke's Films

“It's become my way of life," admits the former dancer, and star of <em>Platform</em> and <em>The World</em>.
Excerpt: The Cove director Louie Psihoyos discusses the recent SeaWorld tragedy, and similarities between his film and Avatar, at Asia Society, March 9, 2010. (2 min., 15 sec.)

Health Concerns Key to Ending Dolphin Slaughter

Director Louie Psihoyos discusses his film and dolphin slaughter in Japan.
Director Jia Zhangke discusses the aesthetic underlying his films at Asia Society New York on Mar. 6, 2010 (10 min., 16 sec.).(Photo: Suzanna Finley/Asia Society)

Filmmaker Jia Zhangke on The Realist Imperative

Portraying reality is the most urgent priority for new Chinese filmmakers, says director.
Excerpt: Shirin Ebadi argues against economic sanctions for Iran. (2 min.)

Ebadi Warns Against Sanctions

International and economic sanctions would harm Iran's citizens, says Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Indian Union Budget 2010: The Road to Fiscal Consolidation

Will initiatives undertaken by the Indian Union Budget provide the necessary guidelines to foster growth-oriented economy?
Military historian Max Boot cautions against drawing "knee-jerk" parallels between Afghanistan and Vietnam. (3 min., 5 sec.)

Is Afghanistan Another Vietnam?

Is the US is fated to make the same mistakes it made in Vietnam in present-day Afghanistan?

Money and Morality

Asia's growing role on the world's stage will define trends for the century to come.

Tsai Ming-Liang on 'Face'

Malaysian-born, Taiwan-based filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang and his long-time collaborating partner actor Lee Kang-Sheng met with the audience after the preview screening of their new film Face (2009).