New Film, Autumn Gem

On December 3, 2009, Asian American Studies sponsored a screening of (Qiu Jin), presented by director Rae Chang at the Multicultural Community Center. The film explores the extraordinary life of the Chinese revolutionary heroine and women’s rights activist Qiu Jin (1875 – 1907). During the reign of the last dynasty in China, Qiu Jin boldly challenged traditional gender roles and demanded equal rights and opportunities for women. At a time when women’s lives were often marked by repressive practices such as footbinding, arranged marriages, and denial of education, Qui Jin envisioned a future where women would free themselves from the confines of tradition and emerge as strong and active citizens of a new and modern nation.