Film Screening: "Autumn Gem" (approx. running time 60 min.)

Speaker: With Introduction by Thomas Mullaney, Assistant Professor, History, Stanford University, and Q & A with the producers following the screening. AUTUMN GEM 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, she 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. This project brings the story of Qiu Jin to the screen in the form of a biographical documentary produced in HD video. It offers a fresh perspective on women in China by sharing the story of a figure known as the country's first feminist. In exploring the life and work of Qiu Jin, the project unveils a remarkable chapter in the history of modern China and provides a deeper understanding of the lives of Chinese women today.