Contact: Isobel Schneider
(Tel: 510-981-6150)
AUTUMN GEM, a free film screening at the Berkeley Public Library, will be presented by the directors, Rae Chang and Adam Tow. The film explores the inspiring story of modern China’s first feminist, Qiu Jin (1875-1907), who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army and became the first female martyr for China’s 1911 Revolution. AUTUMN GEM will be shown at the Central Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room. San Francisco Bay Area Chinese American filmmakers, Rae Chang and Adam Tow, will introduce the hour-long film and answer questions in English and Chinese following the screening. AUTUMN GEM stars former China National Wushu Champion and Hollywood stunt actress Li Jing. AUTUMN GEM is the first documentary feature on Qiu Jin in the U.S. Using scholar interviews, archival materials, and dramatic reenactment scenes based on her original writings, AUTUMN GEM brings the story of Qiu Jin to life. AUTUMN GEM has screened at over 100 venues worldwide, including UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Stanford University, Princeton, Brown, University of Maryland, Pacific Asia Museum, and Tribeca Film Center in New York. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library (www.berkeleylibraryfriends.org). For more program information call 510-981-6150 or connect to www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org. The Central Library is open Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For questions and accessibility information, call 510-981-6195, TTY 510-548-1240, http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.