Filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai joins Asia Society on March 22nd and 23rd for a free talk and the New York premiere of his first two films in a time-spanning trilogy examining the emotional fallout of 20th century Chinese history.

Writer/director Wang Xioashuai emerged in the 90's as one of the most significant figures of China's so called "Sixth Generation" of filmmakers. Following upon their "Fifth Generation" peers like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and Tian Zhuangzhuang, Wang and other members of his cohort— such as Jia Zhangke and Lou Ye— began their careers working underground, making films unsanctioned and banned by the state, before a loosening of restrictions allowed them to find legitimate distribution for their work at home. Last year, Wang's latest film Above the Dust premiered at the Berlinale despite remonstrances from censors, and the director found himself back where he'd started.

This wide-ranging talk will trace the arc of Wang's career from his debut The Days and the early works that followed, to his international breakout Beijing Bicycle, Cannes darlings Drifters, Shanghai Dreams, and Chongqing Blues, his first documentary Chinese Portrait, all the way up his recent films, including So Long, My Son and Above the Dust— arguably his most vital work yet— which will screen at Asia Society on the 22nd and 23rd, respectively.