- Qiu Jin

Meet the “Chinese Joan of Arc” Qiu Jin (1875-1907), a radical women's rights activist who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army. Qiu Jin spoke out against oppressive practices such as footbinding and demanded equal opportunities for women. She attempted an armed uprising against the corrupt Qing Dynasty, for which she was arrested and executed. She became the first female martyr for China’s 1911 Revolution and is celebrated as a national heroine today.

While Qiu Jin is a familiar figure in China, she is largely unknown outside of the country. AUTUMN GEM is the first documentary feature on Qiu Jin in the U.S. Using scholar interviews, archival materials, and dramatic reenactments based on her original writings, AUTUMN GEM brings the story of Qiu Jin to life.

The hour-long film was produced and directed by two San Francisco Bay Area Chinese American filmmakers, Rae Chang and Adam Tow. It stars former China National martial arts champion and Hollywood stunt actress Li Jing. The project's partners include the San Francisco Chinese Culture Center, the San Diego Chinese Historical Society, and the Official Qiu Jin Museum in Shaoxing, China.

AUTUMN GEM has screened at over 100 venues worldwide, including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Princeton, Brown, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Boston, Pacific Asia Museum, and Tribeca Film Center in New York. It was featured at the Tenth International Women in Asia Conference at Australian National University in September 2010.

As 2012 marks the centenary of the end of imperial rule in China, it is especially crucial to acknowledge the role of women in the country's transition to a modern nation. AUTUMN GEM sheds light on a remarkable figure who continues to serve as an inspiration to Chinese women today. 

For more information and to view the screening schedule, please visit http://autumn-gem.com