The Asia Society will present “Water and Oil: The Movies of Ang Lee": a complete retrospective from February 14-23, 2025. Supported by the Taipei Cultural Center, this complete retrospective of Lee's feature films honors the diversity of his oeuvre while highlighting a philosophical throughline that resists polarization. Lee will meet the audience for the opening and three post-screening Q&As.
Ang Lee was born in Taiwan in 1954 and immigrated to the United States at age 23. He studied film at New York University and went on to become the first person of color to win an Academy Award for Best Director with Brokeback Mountain in 2006, winning again for Life of Pi in 2013. The frequently observed eclecticism in his choice of projects has occasioned explosive Hollywood spectacles (Gemini Man), adaptations of Jane Austen (Sense and Sensibility), and Eileen Chang (Lust, Caution), three of the finest original romantic comedies of the latter twentieth century (Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet, Eat Drink Man Woman; a.k.a. the “Father Knows Best” trilogy), and a Marvel movie— arguably the very best one— for good measure (Hulk). On the sometimes-glaring cultural divide in his output, Lee has remarked: “East and West are like water and oil; they do not mix.”
"It’s not surprising that one of the first world-famous Asian American directors would face challenges and compromises in bringing his visions to the screen; what’s remarkable is that he’s done so without losing himself in the process," said Inney Prakash, Asia Society Curator of Film.
Film editor Tim Squyres began his long association with director Ang Lee in 1991. He earned Oscar nominations for his work editing Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000 and Life of Pi in 2012. Squyres will join the Eat Drink Man Woman post-screening Q&A in person on Feb.23.
Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller III, the Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with major cultural centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston. Focusing its work across arts & culture, education, and policy, the institution brings together leading thinkers in these spheres, sharing insight on current events in Asia, and celebrating voices from Asia and its diaspora.
For more information, please visit: https://asiasociety.org/new-york/water-and-oil-movies-ang-lee
Water and Oil: The Movies of Ang Lee
Venue: Asia Society Museum (725 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021)
Screening schedule:
14 Feb 2025｜Brokeback Mountain｜6:30 - 9 p.m.｜ Q&A with Ang Lee.
15 Feb 2025｜Pushing Hands｜11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
15 Feb 2025｜Sense and Sensibility｜3 - 5:30 p.m.
15 Feb 2025｜Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon｜6:30 - 9 p.m.｜Q&A with Ang Lee.
16 Feb 2025｜The Wedding Banquet｜11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
16 Feb 2025｜The Ice Storm｜3 - 5 p.m.
16 Feb 2025｜Hulk｜6:30 - 9 p.m.
21 Feb 2025｜Life of Pi｜6:30 - 9 p.m.｜Q&A with Ang Lee.
22 Feb 2025｜Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk｜11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
22 Feb 2025｜Ride with the Devil｜3 - 5:30 p.m.
22 Feb 2025｜Lust, Caution｜6:30 - 9:30 p.m.｜Q&A with Ang Lee.
23 Feb 2025｜Gemini Man｜11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
23 Feb 2025｜Taking Woodstock｜3 - 5 p.m.
23 Feb 2025｜Eat Drink Man Woman｜6:30 - 8:30 p.m.｜Q&A with editor Tim Squyres.