Big Trouble in Little Tokyo presents “The Curse of Quon Gwon: When the Far East Mingles with the West” (1916-17) on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo.
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, JANM hosts a rare screening of a silent black-and-white film directed by Marion Wong. “The Curse of Quon Gwon” is the earliest known film directed by an Asian American, and one of the earliest directed by a woman.
Reflecting the filmmaker’s desire to present authentic Chinese culture to a Western audience, the movie features an all-Chinese cast and Chinese-style interior décor. The melodramatic storyline, which is typical of Western films from that era, is filled with romance and intrigue.
The evening will include a talk with Mai-Lon Gittelsohn and Dr. Greg Mark, descendants of star Violet Wong, and filmmaker Arthur Dong, who facilitated the restoration of the only known remaining portions of the historic film by the Academy Film Archive.
Pre-sale: $8 for JANM and Visual Communications members, $10 general. At the door (if available): $12 for JANM and VC members, $15 general.
Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is a film series presented by JANM in partnership with Angry Asian Man, First Pond Entertainment, and Visual Communications.
For more information, visit www.janm.org.