THE SANTA BARBARA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PRESENTS EIGHTH ANNUAL ASIAN AMERICAN FILM SERIES

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) is pleased to present theeighth annual Asian American Film Series, a four-part event held each Friday in July at the Alhecama Theatre (914 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara). At the first three screenings, dinner will be available to purchase an hour before the screening, and a Q&A and reception will follow each film. At the fourth screening on July 28, a reception will be held an hour before the screening.

During the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries the area in and around the Santa Barbara Presidio included communities of Chinese and Japanese, residing in what was a unique and culturally rich neighborhood. SBTHP’s Asian American Film Series includes films with themes common to the experience of these communities in the effort to connect a modern audience with the history of the Asian American experience in Santa Barbara. Film selections address a broad range of historical and modern topics, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, Chinese American adoptions, and the contributions of key Asian American figures. This film series is made possible by the generous support of the George H. Griffiths and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation. For more information, call (805) 965-0093 or visit www.sbthp.org/aafs.

This week’s viewing is of My Life in China (2014, 1 hour 21 minutes, directed by Kenneth Eng).

A story of migration is passed down from father to son, as filmmaker Kenneth Eng and his father retrace the precarious steps his father took in search of a better life; ultimately asking the question, what does it mean to be both Chinese and American? Q&A with Director Kenneth Eng to follow the film.

Admission: free for SBTHP members / $5 suggested donation for non-members

Dinner can be purchased one hour before the screening; reception to follow.