Category Archives: Screenings

  1. Autumn Gem Article in the World Journal

    We have a new article from David Wang about Autumn Gem, our screening tomorrow at the Chinese Culture Center, and our new iPad textbook, in the World Journal today: 自2007年開始籌畫研究，2009年自費開拍「秋瑾」紀錄片的華裔第二代張蕊（Rae Chang）與先生曹健鏗（Adam Tow），日前完成「秋瑾」（Autumn Gem）電子書，已在蘋果iBook上架。內容不但有文字，還有圖片及電影片段，是一本「多媒體電子書」。「秋瑾」目前在舊金山中華文化中心展出，張蕊和曹健鏗將於本周六，17日上午11時，在中心講解電影及示範電子書。 「秋瑾電子書是我們在開拍電影時，就考慮這麼做的，」曹健鏗表示，拍「秋瑾」前，他回母校史丹福大學的東亞圖書館收集資料；張蕊則回母校柏克萊加大東亞圖書館研究，兩人還訪問過美國的專家學者，以及秋瑾的後代，「無數文字和圖片內容，再加上電影片段，成為今天這本電子書。」 張蕊指出，出版電子書是希望藉著影音、照片、文字綜合起來的多媒體，造就一種新的教育形式，「比如說書中談到秋瑾的時代背景，就可以按書中的連結，去看背景資料，或是電影中的片段。」張蕊表示，未來的教材將會朝向多媒體的方向進行。 張蕊和曹健鏗的中文程度不太好，但因為看了一本介紹「鑑湖女俠」秋瑾（1875-1907）生平的書，兩人不但放下工作，還投資了6萬元拍電影，「想把這位少為人知的中國女權運動先驅者，介紹給西方世界」。 「秋瑾是位非常特別的人物，」張蕊指出，婦女在清朝是沒有地位的，裹小腳、不能讀太多書，「而秋瑾不但追求婦女解放，爭取男女平等，還立志推翻封建王朝，是中國婦女運動的先驅。」張蕊今年6月看到中國第一位上太空的女太空人劉洋，她第一個反應是：「劉洋是現代的秋瑾！」 張蕊和曹健鏗今年3月到現在，跑遍灣區所有圖書館，放映「秋瑾」並舉行座談，向大家介紹秋瑾，「很多老僑說看到他們的上一代；而年輕一代則反應對這段歷史有更多的瞭解。」張蕊表示，「秋瑾」放映總共超過120多場，灣區放映之前，曾在加拿大、夏威夷、澳洲、香港放映過，下個月還將到日本去放映。 「秋瑾」電影及電子書詳情：autumn-gem.com。

    Posted on November 16, 2012 in General, Interviews, Media, News, Screenings | No comments

  2. World Journal Article on History Park San Jose Screening

    Here is the World Journal newspaper’s coverage of our screening at History Park San Jose on April 29. 張蕊與夫 戲說秋瑾傳奇 記者王金城聖荷西報導 影片「秋瑾」製作人曹健鏗、張蕊夫婦29日在聖荷西歷史公園的太平洋旅館向南灣觀眾介紹他們費時多年，精心製作的這部歷史教育記錄片。兩人講解鑑湖女俠秋瑾的生平與歷史背景，以及在中國、灣區等地拍攝的情形。放映會場上也展示「秋瑾」的影碟與相關歷史資訊。 張蕊的父母來自台灣，大學時期對自己的家世背景與中國歷史展生興趣，知道了近代中國推翻滿清帝制時出現秋瑾這麼一位女中豪傑。 她說，這個發現令她非常興奮，因為秋瑾不只是革命先烈，也是女權運動先驅，早在100多年前就挺身而出，爭取男女平等，是非常進步的思想。 張蕊和曹健鏗於2007年開始籌畫製作這部影片，準備工作花了五個月，拍攝時並到秋瑾故鄉紹興實地製作，訪問當地學者。曹健鏗表示，「秋瑾」可為第一代華裔與在美國成長華裔之間的橋梁，因為兩岸三地很多來美的移民都知道秋瑾的故事，可是在美國生長的華裔並不知道。這部影片成為不同世代華裔相互溝通的管道。 「秋瑾」由張蕊編演，曹健鏗製片，是他們完成的第一部自製自導紀錄長片。張蕊畢業於柏克萊加大、主修藝術與人類學。曹健鏗則畢業於史丹福大學，從事電腦與網路工作，也是專業攝影師。 http://sf.worldjournal.com/view/full_sfnews/18406326/article-張蕊與夫-戲說秋瑾傳奇?

    Posted on April 30, 2012 in General, Interviews, Media, News, Screenings | No comments

  3. Santa Clara and Hayward Public Libraries Screening Recap

    We’re just hours away from boarding a plane to Hong Kong for our final screenings for 2011. Last week, we had two screenings in public libraries in the San Francisco Bay Area. We showed the film at the Santa Clara City Library and the Hayward Public Library. Though I’m writing this as I’m furiously packing, [...]

    Posted on October 12, 2011 in General, News, Screenings | No comments

  4. Southern California Fall 2011 Tour Recap

    It’s been two years since we had our first Autumn Gem screening in Southern California at the Pacific Asia Museum. Since then, we’ve had over one hundred screenings around the world, including stops in Australia, Canada, Texas, the Southwest, the Midwest, and the East Coast. This past week, we returned to Southern California for a [...]

    Posted on October 1, 2011 in Media, News, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  5. Hong Kong Feature Film on Qiu Jin to be Released

    A new feature film on Qiu Jin called “The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake” is opening this week in Hong Kong. It’s directed by Herman Yau and stars Huang Yi as Qiu Jin and veteran actor Anthony Wong as a Qing Dynasty official. Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJzyEBvQNEM And here’s our version: Somehow I [...]

    Posted on August 21, 2011 in General, News, Screenings, Travel | 7 comments

  6. Autumn Gem in the Epoch Times

    The Epoch Times attended our screening at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in Downtown San Diego last weekend. The newspaper just posted its review of the screening. 曹健鏗與張蕊在影片放映後舉行的招待會上和聖地亞哥中華歷史博物館館長莊紹文合影（攝影: 楊婕／大紀元） 加州華裔後代拍「秋瑾」巡演百場 【簡體版】 【不顯現/顯現圖片】 【大紀元2011年06月03日訊】（大紀元記者楊婕美國聖地亞哥報導）值辛亥革命成功、中華民國建國百年，來自北加州的華裔後代曹健鏗和張蕊夫婦再次攜帶兩人合拍的「秋瑾」記錄片回到聖地亞哥，於5月28日在中華歷史博物館放映，自3年半前完成該片來在各地巡迴放映已過百場。 張蕊畢業於加州大學柏克利分校藝術系，喜愛舞蹈和傳統繪畫。她介紹說，幾年前讀到一本秋瑾傳記，深受感動，因為很多西方人，以及像她這樣在美國長大的華裔從來沒有聽說過秋瑾。秋瑾作為一個性格剛烈的女性民族英雄，給她留下很深的印象。她想，如果能拍一部秋瑾生平事跡的記錄片，讓更多的人，尤其是西方人知道，應該是很有意義的事。 張蕊的想法得到先生的支持。雖然曹健鏗畢業於史丹福大學計算機軟件專業，他也是專業攝影師，對藝術的興趣不亞於太太，兩人也希望有機會成為獨立電影製片人。張蕊於是辭去職位，為拍片全力以赴。 夫婦倆介紹，他們自籌資金，花了兩年多的時間拍片。期間他們到多家圖書館、博物館查找資料， 並到中國參觀了紹興的「秋瑾紀念館」，訪問了秋氏後人，還錄製了美國漢學專家對秋瑾的評價。影片以豐富的史料為主線，加入一些表演鏡頭，由前中國女子武術冠軍、好萊塢華裔女演員李靜飾演秋瑾，使記錄片內容更加全面、更容易讓沒有中國歷史背景的觀眾看懂。 自該片2009年在曹健鏗的母校，聖地亞哥私立學校「La Jolla Country Day School」首映以來，一年多的時間裏，這對年輕的夫婦足跡從美西到美東，並到加拿大。他們除了向公眾放映，還應邀到學校做教學介紹。所到之處，很多人對影片表現出極大興趣。今年十月他們將到香港介紹他們的作品。 張蕊和曹健鏗說，在製作過程中，雙方父母都給予很多幫助和支持，比如他們會幫忙把一些中文資料翻成英文等。這次在中華歷史博物館的放映，也靠曹健鏗的父母，聖地亞哥華裔畫家梁潔貞和先生曹進美牽線搭橋。 2011-06-03 14:47:30【萬年曆】

    Posted on June 4, 2011 in Interviews, Media, News, Screenings | No comments

  7. San Diego Chinese Historical Museum Screening Recap

    Two years ago in May 2009, we held our first major public screening at Adam’s alma mater La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego. Over 100 screenings later, we’ve returned to Adam’s hometown for another event at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. Early on in our project we had contacted the museum to [...]

    Posted on June 3, 2011 in News, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  8. AAS Conference

    Wednesday night was the start of the Association for Asian Studies Conference, and after our screening at Hawai’i Pacific University we headed over to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort to enjoy the welcome reception. The Association for Asian Studies (AAS) is the largest worldwide scholarly professional association for those interested in the study of Asia. [...]

    Posted on April 8, 2011 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  9. Hawai’i Pacific University Screening Recap and Photos

    We had two events at Hawai’i Pacific University, part of their weekly Viewpoints Film Series. At the first screening Professor William Zanella, who teaches Chinese history and Mandarin, introduced the film and provided historical background for this critical juncture in China’s modernization. We had a full house of students and community members at both screenings, [...]

    Posted on April 7, 2011 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  10. University of Hawai’i at Manoa Screening Recap and Photos

    We were very excited to show our film in conjunction with the “Rethinking the Chinese Revolution: 1911 in Global Perspective” Conference at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The event was organized by the Center for Chinese Studies and Confucius Institute and held at the East-West Center on the UHM campus. Hawaii holds a special [...]

    Posted on April 7, 2011 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  11. Monterey Park Public Library Screening Recap

    Rounding out our Southern California tour was an event at the Monterey Park Public Library. Monterey Park was where we filmed the scene of Qiu Jin training with her cousin (who is played by Rae’s real cousin Hans), so it was great returning to one of our shooting locations. Our actress Li Jing attended the [...]

    Posted on March 16, 2011 in General, News, Screenings | No comments

  12. Miramar College Screening Recap

    Our first major public screening was at Adam’s high school in San Diego back in May 2009. On Friday we returned to his home turf for another event, this time at Miramar College. We had a fantastic turnout of students, faculty, community members, and even some of Adam’s elementary school classmates from Spreckels! Thanks to [...]

    Posted on March 16, 2011 in General, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  13. Torrance Public Library Screening Recap

    Second stop on our Southern California tour was the Torrance Public Library. Rae was born in Torrance, and the screening was held the day before her birthday, March 9, which happens to be Adam’s birthday! Yes, we’re both Pisces, and this year is also Adam’s Year of the Rabbit, so we’re looking forward to being [...]

    Posted on March 16, 2011 in General, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  14. UC Riverside Screening Recap

    On Monday we headed down to Southern California for another week of screenings. Around this time a year ago we were at UC Irvine, where Professor Hu Ying, one of the scholars in the film, had invited us to show it. This time, we travelled inland to UC Riverside, where we were hosted by the [...]

    Posted on March 14, 2011 in General, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  15. AAUW Morgan Hill Screening Recap

    Back in March 2010, we had a screening at the Willow Glen Library sponsored by the San Jose branch of the American Association of University Women. After a successful event, the organizers promoted the film to other AAUW chapters, and soon afterwards we were contacted by Peggy Thompson from the Morgan Hill branch, who along [...]

    Posted on January 24, 2011 in General, Screenings | No comments

  16. Southern Methodist University Screening Recap

    Our final screening of 2010 tour was at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. SMU was chartered and founded in 1911, the same year that Women’s History Month was started and the fall of the Qing Dynasty in China. Today, the school is home to 11,000 students, and will be the future site of the former [...]

    Posted on November 27, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  17. Austin College Screening Recap

    Next stop on our Texas tour was Austin College, located in Sherman, a small town about an hour north of Dallas. Driving there from Texas A&M took 4 hours, passing by several other small towns along the way, including Hearne – home of John Randle, Hall of Fame NFL Player, according to the giant billboard [...]

    Posted on November 21, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | 1 comment

  18. Texas A&M Screening Recap

    Following our great time at Trinity, we made the three and a half hour trek to Texas A&M, the oldest public university in Texas. The university is located in the city of College Station, which is in the middle of the Dallas, Houston and San Antonio triangle. Confirming the theory that everything is bigger in [...]

    Posted on November 21, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  19. Trinity University Screening Recap

    Our next stop on our Texas tour was at Trinity University. Since we were staying with Patrick and Nicole in San Antonio, we only had to drive 25 minutes to get to campus instead of three to four hours as we did for our next two screenings to Texas A&M and Austin College. Being able [...]

    Posted on November 21, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  20. University of Texas at San Antonio Screening Recap

    After a night at my relative’s house in Houston, Rae and I drove three and a half hours to San Antonio, Texas, for our second screening at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I was last in San Antonio back in 2001, during which I also visited Austin, Houston, and San Jacinto. Had we [...]

    Posted on November 20, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  21. Houston Chinese Community Center Screening Recap

    In September and October of 2010, we embarked on our first international tour, flying to Australia for seven screenings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. In November, we went to our second country for three screenings in Canada. We then headed to Texas, which some would argue is a whole other country in itself! The adage [...]

    Posted on November 17, 2010 in Interviews, Media, Screenings, Travel | No comments

  22. Simon Fraser University Screening Recap

    We’re currently in Texas and getting ready to leave lovely San Antonio for Texas A&M in College Station. Catching up on our screening recaps, we’d like to tell you about the great screening we had at Simon Fraser University last week in Vancouver, British Columbia. As you can see in the photo to the right, [...]

    Posted on November 17, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  23. In Texas

    We arrived yesterday in Houston, Texas, following our screening at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. We had a great screening at SFU and at the Houston Chinese Community Center on Saturday. Now, we are at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where we have a screening at 3:30pm in the Retama Auditorium inside the [...]

    Posted on November 14, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  24. Richmond City Council Screening Recap

    The day after our screening at the University of Victoria, we took another ferry — this time from Schwartz Bay to Tsawwassen — to head into Vancouver. Both Rae and I have been to Vancouver once before to attend Expo 86. Yes, twenty-four years ago as kids, we were both attending the same World’s Exposition [...]

    Posted on November 11, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | No comments

  25. University of Victoria Screening Recap

    On November 8, 2010, we woke up very early in the morning to catch the 8:30 am ferry — the only one leaving that day — from Anacortes, Washington to Sidney, British Columbia. Located over 70 miles north of Seattle, the Anacortes Ferry Terminal was quiet and nearly deserted when we arrived at 6:00 am. [...]

    Posted on November 11, 2010 in Screenings, Travel | 1 comment