MAY 9 - Friday - 10pm (Film) Asian Cinema Takes a Bow on Knowledge Network Lai Man Wai: The Father of Chinese CinemaKnowledge Network has some great programs on Asian cinema during Asian Heritage Month and in June. The origins of Hong Kong and Chinese filmmaking arguably will all eventually trace back to Lai Man Wai, the man who is widely accepted as the Father of Chinese Cinema. Lai Man Wai: The Father of Chinese Cinema is the story of Lai Man Wais life and an account of his endeavors and achievements that contributed to the development of early Chinese cinema. His distinguished career spanned over 40 years and encompassed the turbulent years of Chinas Civil War and the Japanese War. Cinema Asia premieres on Friday, May 16 at 10 pm Cinema Asia is a five-part series that explores the most dynamic film scene on the planet. Long trapped within their own national boundaries, the national cinemas of China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Iran have in recent years burst onto international screens. This series offers the viewer a rich mix of clips from some of the most important films produced in recent years. Interviews with the filmmakers provide a unique window not only on the world of filmmaking, but on the various cultures that generate and inform these films. For night owls interested in another perspective on Chinese cinema, the Hong Kong production, Chinas Hollywood, premieres on Wednesday, June 25 at midnight. Since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon burst upon world screens in 2000, garnering international accolades galore and winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, audiences have been sitting up and taking notice of Chinese cinema. With unprecedented access to Chinas superstars and filmmakers, this one-hour documentary special offers an exclusive look at their lives and the glamour of an industry celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Slanted Screen premieres on Friday, May 2 at 10 pm http://www.knowledgenetwork.ca