Artist-directors Wen Hui and Eiko Otake; moderated by Prof. Jingqiu Guan (Duke Dance Program)

NO RULE IS OUR RULE is a documentary film about the friendship between two fiercely independent, interdisciplinary female dance artists Eiko Otake and Wen Hui. Eiko grew up in postwar Japan and has lived in New York since the 1970s. 8 years younger, Beijing-based Wen Hui grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China and shows her work internationally. They spent a month together in China in January 2020, when the surge of COVID-19 became first known to the general public. Postponing their physical collaboration, Eiko and Wen Hui continued to converse candidly over Zoom and co-edited the footage they filmed in China. The process has deepened their mutual understanding of their past works created and presented in different historical and social contexts. Chinese film director Yiru Chen, once Eiko's student, joined the team as a co-editor.

NO RULE IS OUR RULE played at the Munich New Wave Film Festival and won Best Feature Documentary at the 2023 Japan International Film Festival.

-- Q&A to follow screening featuring artist-directors Wen Hui and Eiko Otake, moderated by Prof. Jingqiu Guan (Duke Dance Program) --

Duke University Asian/Pacific Studies Institute
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