AQUARIUS Presents: Ryka Aoki Author Q&A, February 15 at Pitt.

The Alliance of Queer Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS)

at the University of Pittsburgh will host an Author Q&A with Ryka Aoki on February 15. From the Asian Studies Center newsletter:

Ryka Aoki, author of the Hugo Award-nominated Light from Uncommon Stars, is a Japanese-American writer and teacher from Southern California. Her works also include poetry collections like Seasonal Velocities and Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul. 

With a degree in chemistry, Aoki spent a year working in a lab before pursuing her Master's degree in creative writing at Cornell University. As a transgender woman, she is also an incredible advocate, often engaging in activities to create safe spaces within the performance arts for transgender people. 

She will be joining AQUARIUS onto answer questions and talk about her experiences in writing and in life!

The talk runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Asia Pop Lecture: Who is Lee Byung-hun?, February 18 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Andy Lee and his talk "Asia Pop Lecture: Who is Lee Byung-hun?" on February 18, part of the Asia Pop Lecture series.

Lee Byung-hun, a household name in Korean cinema, has had a 35-year career, earning him his "God of Acting" nickname. He is known for his roles in Squid Game (2021-2025) and in No Other Choice (2025). In 2014, Lee was caught up in a blackmail scandal. In this lecture, Lee's reputational recovery from the scandal, both within Korea and on the global stage, will be discussed through star studies methodologies. 

This speaker is Andy Lee, a PhD Student in Film and Media Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Not only is he pursuing his Advanced Asian Studies Certificate, but he is also a Mitsubishi Fellow through our center. His research explores the influence of Japanese Imperialism and U.S. military influence on Korean cinema. 

Come see his talk as a part of our Asia Pop Lecture series!

The talk starts at 6:00 pm in David Lawrence Hall (map). 

A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) in Pittsburgh from March 1, part of Hong Kong Cinema Classics series.

The 1986 film A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) returns to Pittsburgh from March 1 as part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series.

This story is the tale of two brothers: one a successful counterfeiter and the younger a fledgling graduate of the HK police academy. The plot revolves around the split when the younger brother learns the other is a criminal and the efforts of the criminal brother to reform. Along the way are plenty of heists, double-crosses, and shoot outs. Includes "A Better Tomorrow: An Interview with John Woo" following the feature content.

The movie played here in the fall as part of an 11-film Hong Kong Cinema Classics series. It plays locally on March 1, 2, and 4 at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and the Cinemark theaters in North Hills and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

2025 Taiwanese film A Foggy Tale (大濛) in Pittsburgh, March 7.

The 2025 Taiwanese film A Foggy Tale (大濛) will play in Pittsburgh on March 7.

《A Foggy Tale》Pittsburgh Film Screening

A 2025 Award‑Winning Taiwanese Film. A powerful journey through 1950s Taiwan.

Join us for a special screening of 《大濛 A Foggy Tale》, a 2025 film set in 1950s Taiwan during the White Terror era — a decades‑long period beginning in 1949, when the government imposed martial law and carried out widespread persecution of people it suspected of political dissent.

The film follows a young girl traveling across Taiwan to retrieve the remains of her brother, who was executed by the regime. Through her journey, 《A Foggy Tale》 reveals the everyday lives, moral struggles, and social atmosphere ordinary people faced under authoritarian rule.

Two K-Pop Demon Ravers - Kids Rave events in Warrendale, March 22.

Jergel's Rhythm Grille will host two K-Pop Demon Ravers - Kids Rave on March 22.

K-Pop Demon Ravers is a dance party celebrating the soundtrack from K-Pop Demon Hunters through soundtrack inspired remixes + familiar pop anthems from the movie. Costumes encouraged! Brought to you by @thekawaiirave and VNK Entertainment.

This is in addition to the February 28 event for which tickets have long been sold out. The early show starts at 12:00 pm and the afternoon show starts at 4:00 pm.; ticketes are available online, and may also be purchased in person at Jergel's to avoid online processing fees. Jergel's Rhythm Grille is located at 103 Slade Lane in Warrendale (map).

2026 Chinese movie Scare Out (惊蛰无声), directed by Zhang Yimou, in Pittsburgh, from February 17.

The 2026 Chinese movie Scare Out (惊蛰无声) will play in Pittsburgh February 17 through 19.

A major breach of China’s classified intelligence triggers an urgent response from a national security unit, determined to expose the traitor behind it. However, successive arrest missions suffer severe setbacks, driving tensions ever higher. As the investigation deepens, suspicion unexpectedly turns inward—toward members of the task force itself. Caught in a vortex of trust and betrayal, a silent struggle quietly unfolds.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2026 Chinese martial arts film Blades of the Guardians (镖人：风起大漠) in Pittsburgh, from February 16.

The 2026 Chinese martial arts film Blades of the Guardians (镖人：风起大漠) will in Pittsburgh from February 16 through 18 to coincide with the Lunar New Year.

Dao Ma, the "second most wanted fugitive," who is entrusted by his benefactor, the chief of Mo family clan, to take on a mysterious escort mission-escorting the "most wanted fugitive," to Chang'an.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2025 Japanese film Kokuho (国宝) in Pittsburgh, from February 19.

The 2025 Japanese film Kokuho (国宝) will play in Pittsburgh from February 19 through 25.

Nagasaki, 1964 – After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, he decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. For decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals… one of them will become the greatest Japanese master of the art of kabuki.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Concert film Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) February 18.

The concert film Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, which opened in Pittsburgh with advanced screenings on February 4, will stay here through (at least) February 18.

Stray Kids : The dominATE Experience is an epic concert film featuring the global K-Pop sensation and their sold-out SoFi Stadium performances, along with behind-the-scenes footage. With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide and a fanbase that spans every continent, Stray Kids : The dominATE Experience will provide fans with a bold, large-scale theater experience, allowing them to see a glimpse behind the curtain of their favorite band.

It will continue to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cranberry Cinemas, Moraine Pointe Cinemas in Butler, and occasionally at the Cinemark in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

2025 Japanese animated movie Scarlet ( 果てしなきスカーレット) stays in Pittsburgh through February 19.

The 2025 Japanese animated movie Scarlet ( 果てしなきスカーレット), which opened in Pittsburgh from February 6, will remain here through (at least) February 19.

A sword-wielding princess embarks on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father. She soon meets an idealistic young man who shows her the possibility of a future free of bitterness and rage.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront through the 10th and the AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.