The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, in partnership with the American Film Showcase (AFS), will host documentary filmmaker and director, Frank Popper, for a series of screenings and discussions about his documentary film, Gentlemen of Vision. From September 16-21, 2019, screenings will be held at the American University of Central Asia and American Spaces throughout the Kyrgyz Republic.
Gentlemen of Vision depicts the struggles and successes of the dance group, Gentlemen of Vision. For many of the dance team members, this is their senior year of high school and the last chance to achieve their goal of winning two major national dance competitions.
Director Franklyn Delano Popper has over twenty years of experience editing, shooting and producing films, including documentaries. His feature documentary debut, Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? (2006) won the American Film Institute Docs (Silverdocs) Audience Award; was an International Documentary Association Finalist, Best Feature; made the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shortlist for the documentary feature; won a Special Jury Prize at the International Human Rights Film Festival of Paris; and aired on U.S. television program, PBS Independent Lens. Popper filmed the feature documentary Eroica! (2003) which also aired on Independent Lens. Gentlemen of Vision is his third documentary feature.
The U.S. Embassy-supported American Film Showcase brings award-winning contemporary American documentaries, independent fiction films, and documentary know-how to audiences around the world, offering a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers. It is a partnership between the Department od State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts to engage international audiences through American film.
The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic has invited Frank Popper to travel from the United States to present his documentary Gentlemen of Vision at the American Spaces in Bishkek, Kant, Karakol, Jalal-Abad, Naryn and Osh, as well as at the American University of Central Asia. The film documents the challenges of a high school counselor determined to save the lives of young men from the violence of the streets through dance.
American Film Showcase American (AFS) website: shorturl.at/hqLQ5
Twitter: shorturl.at/gkosX
Instagram: shorturl.at/oO047
Facebook: shorturl.at/lKNQY
Filmmaker at LinkedIn: shorturl.at/tzRST
Media representatives interested in covering the events may contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office by email at BishkekPAS@state.gov or by phone at 0312 597000, 0770 770299.
American Documentary Filmmaker Frank Popper Presents “Gentlemen of Vision” Across Kyrgyzstan.
September 16 – September 22, 2019 The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is conducting film screenings, followed by group discussions of the documentary “Gentlemen of Vision” at the American Spaces in Bishkek, Kant, Karakol, Jalal-Abad, Naryn and Osh, as well as at the American University of Central Asia.
All events are free to the public.
Schedule of events:
Monday, September 16
- 09:30-11:00: Visiting Central Asian Design Hub (CADH) to meet with Kyrgyz filmmakers (55 Logvinenko St., Bishkek city)
- 14:00-16:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions with Kant American Corners visitors and Kant residents(5 Malikov St., Kant city, Chui Oblast Library)
Tuesday, September 17
- 16:00-18:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions for Osh American Corners and Osh Oblast Library visitors
(271 Kurmanjan Datka St., Osh city, Osh Oblast Library)
Wednesday, September 18
- 11:00-13:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions for Jalalabad American Corner visitors
(57 Lenin St., Jalal-Abad city, Jalal-Abad State University)
Thursday, September 19
- 14:10-16:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions at American University of Central Asia for AUCA students and faculty (7/6 Aaly Tokombayev St., Bishkek)
- 17:30-19:30: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions at Bishkek American Center for library and American Center visitors (242 Ogonbaev St., Bishkek city, Bayalinov Youth and Children Library)
Friday, September 20
- 13:00-14:50: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions for University of Central Asia (UCA) students and faculty (310 Lenin St., Naryn city, University of Central Asia)
- 15:00-17:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions at Naryn American Corner (33 Lenin St., Naryn city, Naryn Oblast Library)
Saturday, September 21
- 16:00-18:00: Gentlemen of Vision film screening & discussions at Karakol American Corner for library and AC visitors
(35 Koenkozov St., Karakol city, Issyk-Kul Oblast Library)
