As part of the "Coming Home: Films of the Refugee and Immigrant Experience" series, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Squirrel Hill branch will present the 1992 Ang Lee film Pushing Hands (推手) and a discussion with the Organization of Chinese Americans Pittsburgh chapter on October 28. A 1995 New York Times review provides a summary of the movie:
[T]he story describes a profound culture clash, this time involving a retired tai chi master, Mr. Chu (Sihung Lung, who also starred in "The Wedding Banquet"), who moves from Beijing to America to live with his son. The film first finds him in a sterile New York suburb, coexisting with a daughter-in-law who is not of Asian extraction and has absolutely no use for this lovely old man.The event runs from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and is free and open to the public. The library is located at 5801 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill (map), accessible via buses 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 64, and 74.
While Martha (Deb Syder) works so hard at establishing herself as "a bold new voice in women's fiction" that she gives herself stress-related stomach aches, Mr. Chu does his best to remain on a peaceful plane. The film concentrates on wry observations of why such tranquillity is not possible in contemporary America, and in seeing this new world through old Mr. Chu's point of view. The title, a tai chi reference, is described as "a way of keeping your balance while unbalancing your opponent." As such, it aptly describes this teacher's new life.
