As a companion to the exhibition of photographs, Asia Society presents a short film about these 60 years — from the story of its founding and early years, to its evolution from a Manhattan institution to a global network of 12 centers. The film — narrated by Asia Society Trustee Emeritus Tom Brokaw — features interviews with the four living presidents of the institution and a range of memorable moments from its history. Throughout these decades, the Society has hewed close to John D. Rockefeller 3rd’s aim to marry policy with culture.

Hence the range of people who make appearances here — from presidents and prime ministers to performing arts troupes; from Ravi Shankar to Malala Yousafzai, Aung San Suu Kyi to Yo-Yo Ma, from Jack Ma to Jackie Chan to Jacqueline Kennedy. “We founders of Asia Society were confident,” Rockefeller said, on the occasion of Asia Society’s 10th anniversary, “that Asians and Americans are capable of a richer and more meaningful understanding, because of shared hopes and aspirations.” We hope that the film — and the photographs — offer examples of a richer and more meaningful understanding that has been achieved in these last 60 years. (22 min., 6 sec.)