Film expert Kate Taylor explores how Japan’s most popular video site, Nico Nico Douga, started out as a simple website that linked videos from YouTube, until they were banned by the video giant for sending them too much foreign traffic. China’s Tudou and Youku streaming services have recently merged to in a $1billion deal to become China’s largest online video website. Kremlin ideologues pioneered “The Tits Show”, the most popular series on Russia’s massively popular state-owned RuTube. This screening program will look at online video formats in non-Western countries from the perspective of artists working in those places, considering if these sites offer spaces of inspiration, distraction, influence or a point of political opposition.

Haunted by You – Taiyo Kimura (Japan, 04,22 min)
Episode – Vladimir Logutov (Russia)
Shadow Life – Cao Fei (China)

Also a selection of online videos from every artist will be shown: Nico Nico Douga (Japan, Taiyo Kimura) RuTube (Russia,
Vladimir Logutov) and Youku (China, Cao Fei).