This week the Museum of Modern Art launches Contemporasian, a monthly film exhibit showcasing independent films and less well-known gems that represent important changes and growth in Asian cinema. The museum plans a program of new films as well as classics that will be featured in week-long engagements. For its first installment, the museum screens Chinese director Ying Liang’s “Ling yi ban,” “The Other Half” (2006). Dinner & a Movie seeks out quality Chinese food just right for the occasion.

DINNER

At Grand Sichuan Eastern, the menu is designed to be agreeable to all. Among its many categories is “American Chinese Food,” presumably for those diners who value predictability — and bland food. But this restaurant — as well as the other Grand Sichuans around town, notably the East Village location on St. Mark’s Place — also specializes in proper and spicy Sichuan cooking. Lesser Chinese restaurants will serve ma po dofu, or tofu cubes with minced pork, in a tasteless, gummy gravy; Grand Sichuan prepares the dish with a thinner, piquant sauce, and heaps of minced pork are piled on top of the small cubes of tofu. Moreover, now that soft-shell crab season is imminent, it’s also worth trying the “spicy and aromatic” soft-shell crab: The restaurant uses Sichuan peppercorns in its cooking, and the numbing burn of the spice is worth sacrificing a few taste buds. (1049 Second Ave., between 55th and 56th streets, 212-355-5855)

MOVIE

“Ling yi ban” follows a young woman, Xiaofen, living and working in a rapidly modernizing region of southwestern China. As the busy metropolis develops around her, Xiaofen finds her own life remains stagnant. When she isn’t logging hours at mundane law firm job, she is taking care of her alcoholic, gambler boyfriend; her problems are only compounded by worrisome girlfriends and a meddling mother. Xiaofen increasingly becomes distressed by the imbalances in her personal life, family traditions, and the changing nature of the city. The film is in Mandarin with English subtitles. (Friday, 6 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m.,MoMA. 11 W. 57th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-708-9400, $10 general, $8 seniors, $6 children, free for members)