Film series: Modern family 12 February – 9 March 2014

Family-related issues are at the forefront of social challenges facing modern Japan and South Korea. For centuries, Confucianism played a major role in the life of these societies. Defining core values, the teachings were a model for social and political order, regarding family relationships as the backbone of society. The breakdown of the traditional family system began in the high-stress, high-consumption atmosphere of the late 20th century. It witnessed rising divorce rates, women rejecting marriage, changing sexual mores, transformations in gender roles and family conflict over the care of the increasing numbers of elderly. As in most Western societies, urbanisation, social mobility and individualisation at the expense of community have caused major cultural ramifications as young people seek greater flexibility in work and family.

This series of feature films explores the dilemmas of modern family life in Japan and South Korea, and features the work of directors Shinji Somai, Bong Joon-ho and Hirokazu Kore-eda.

Presented in conjunction with The Japan Foundation, Sydney, Modern family screens at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 12 February to 9 March 2014.

Films

• 12, 16 February – Ah! Spring (director Shinji Somai, Japan, 1998, 35mm)

• 19, 23 February – Mother (director Bong Joon-ho, South Korea, 2009, 35mm)

• 26 February, 2 March – Nobody knows (director Hirozaku Kore-eda, Japan, 2004, 35mm)

• 5, 9 March – Moving (director Shinki Somai, Japan, 1993, 16mm)