SAM Films: Hausu

“Everything is art. Everything is politics.” – Ai Weiwei

Inspired by the earmark provocation and disruption of artist/activist Ai Weiwei, SAM presents free screenings of four provocative films from Asian filmmakers in conjunction with the exhibition, Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei.

Sundays in April and May, encounter documentary, art film, and full freakout cinema whose unconventional styles tackle art reproduction, surveillance, nuclear war, and the “model minority” myth. Originating from China, Japan, and the US, these films demonstrate the relevance of Ai’s philosophies and decrees across borders and time.

Explore the macabre and maximalist in this screening of Nobuhiko Obayashi's cult classic, Hausu.

Hausu
Dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi

Schoolgirl Gorgeous decides to get away from it all with a trip to her aunt’s, inviting her six friends—Prof, Melody, Kung Fu, Mac, Sweet, and Fantasy. But their romp in the country is soon thwarted by the malevolent house that wishes to gobble them all up. An explosive collage of practical special effects, Hausu combines gore, comedy, and the supernatural to diabolically maximalist ends. If you haven’t seen it yet, now is your chance to catch this supreme cult horror classic!

Join curator Hannah Baek for a post-screening lecture and discussion on how Obayashi’s take on the haunted house film allegorizes the violence of atomic war.

Content Advisory: Mild gore and nudity.

Asian Provocation is guest-curated by Hannah Baek

Films will be screened at Seattle Art Museum
April 6 China's Van Goghs
April 13 Dragonfly Eyes
April 20 Hausu
May 4 Terminal USA

All screenings will be matinees with doors opening at 1:30 pm and films beginning at 2 pm. Join us for community activities accompanying each screening.

SAM Films are generously supported by the Bagley and Virginia Wright Endowment and The Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Film and Education Endowment.