Academy's films offer diverse glimpses of Asia

Advertiser Staff

Dondup, right, dreams of life in America in "Travellers & Magicians," a film from Bhutan that kicks off a series of Asian films at the Doris Duke Theatre. Catherine Ryan

Admission is $7 general; $6 seniors 62 and older, students and military; $5 museum members. 532-8768.

The films:

"Travellers & Magicians." Directed by Khyentse Norbu, Bhutan, 2004; not rated, 108 minutes, subtitled.

• In the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, two men who seek to escape their mundane lives embark on separate journeys seeking the green grass of the other side.
• Preceded by "Humble Beginnings" (directed by Nelson Quan, USA, 2004, 10 minutes). A documentary about local basketball hero Derrick Low.
• 1 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. April 4; 1 and 7:30 p.m. April 5-7; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. April 8

"Chicken Rice War (Jiyuan Qiaohe)." Directed by Cheah Chee Kong, Singapore, 2000; not rated, 100 minutes, subtitled.

• Based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," this is a romantic comedy about two star-crossed lovers and their feuding families. The subject of the feud? Chicken rice, a highly competitive business in which the families are rivals.
• 1 p.m. April 9-10

"Baytong." Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr, Thailand, 2003; not rated, 103 minutes, subtitled.

• A Buddhist monk learns that his sister has been killed by Muslim terrorists. He leaves the monastery for the first time to take care of his orphaned niece and enters the confusion and complexities of the modern world.
• 4 and 7:30 p.m. April 9

"Wheel of Time." Directed by Werner Herzog, Germany, 2003; not rated, 80 minutes, subtitled.

• Documentary focuses on the largest Buddhist ritual to promote peace and tolerance, held by the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya, India, and Graz, Austria, in 2002.
• 4 and 7:30 p.m. April 10