BEETHOVEN IN BEIJING spotlights the resurgence of classical music in China through the legacy of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the first American orchestra to perform in China in 1973. Following the end of China’s Cultural Revolution, when Western classical music was banned in favor of politically themed works, the onset of “Beethoven fever” began. Narrated by American and Chinese musicians and historians, the film explores the impact of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic tour on China both then and now. Renowned musicians, including Academy Award-winning composer Tan Dun, Philadelphia-trained famed classical pianist Lang Lang, Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and more share their stories of how Beethoven’s music shaped their careers as China’s classical music scene boomed.
Jennifer Lin is developing Beyond Yellowface, a documentary about Asian representation in ballet that follows the rise of the Final Bow for Yellowface movement, launched by dancers Georgina Pazcoguin and Phil Chan. After 31 years with The Philadelphia Inquirer, including postings in Beijing, New York and Washington, D.C., Jennifer made the big pivot into documentary filmmaking. She produced, wrote and co-directed her first feature-length film, Beethoven in Beijing, which premiered on PBS's Great Performances. She has a book based on the film, and authored two other works of nonfiction, a family memoir (Shanghai Faithful) and a collection of stories about women and running (Sole Sisters).
