THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The co-producer/director of a documentary on the “Chinese Joan of Arc” will discuss the film at a free screening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at California Lutheran University.

Rae Chang will talk after “Autumn Gem” is shown in the Preus-Brandt Forum. The hour-long film was produced and directed by Chang and her husband, fellow San Francisco Bay Area Chinese-American filmmaker Adam Tow.

The documentary explores the extraordinary life of Qiu Jin, a radical women’s rights activist who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army. She was the first woman to lead an armed uprising against the corrupt Qing Dynasty, for which she was captured and executed. She became the first female martyr for China’s 1911 Revolution and is celebrated as a national heroine today. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution that ended imperial rule in China.

While Jin is a familiar figure in China, she is largely unknown outside of the country. “Autumn Gem” is the first documentary feature on her in the United States. The 2009 film features scholar interviews, archival materials and scenes adapted from Jin’s original writings. It stars former Chinese martial arts champion and Hollywood stunt actress Li Jing.

“Autumn Gem” has screened at more than 90 venues throughout the world including Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Tribeca Film Center in New York. It was featured at the 10th International Women in Asia Conference at Australia National University in 2010.

Chang, who also served as writer and editor for the film, is an artist and graphic designer. She has worked in a variety of mediums including drawing, sculpture, performance and video. Her work has been presented in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Chinese Culture Center, the Pacific Film Archive and New College of California Gallery. Trained in Chinese martial arts (wushu), she performs with the dance company Facing East Dance and Music.

The Ventura County Chinese American Association, Ventura Chinese School and CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice, Languages and Cultures Department and Multicultural and International Programs are sponsoring the event.

Preus-Brandt Forum is located south of Olsen Road near Mountclef Boulevard on the Thousand Oaks campus. For more information, contact Debby Chang at ddchang@callutheran.edu or 818-865-9772.