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, a former foreign correspondent in China, is known for her documentary work spotlighting Asians and Asian Americans in the classical arts. After a career in journalism, she created Beethoven in Beijing, a feature-length documentary about the Philadelphia Orchestra's China legacy. The film premiered nationally on PBS's Great Performances and received funding from the National Endowment for Humanities. Her next film tells the lost story of George Lee, an 89-year-old Chinese blackjack dealer in Las Vegas with an unheralded place in ballet history. The short documentary premiered at Film at Lincoln Center's Dance on Camera festival and was featured in the Sunday New York Times. Currently, Jennifer is finishing Beyond Yellowface about two NYC dancers who are successfully challenging the ballet world to jettison offensive racial stereotypes from the stage. Jennifer is also the author of three books, including her acclaimed family memoir, Shanghai Faithful.
