Finding Kukan (2016)

Finding Kukan Poster

A filmmaker turns detective to uncover the forgotten story of Li Ling-Ai, the un-credited female producer of KUKAN, an Academy Award-winning color documentary about World War II China that has been lost for decades.

Film Overview
"Finding Kukan" is a 2016 film directed by Robin Lung. This intriguing documentary dives into the forgotten history of the Academy Award-winning documentary "Kukan". At the same time, Lung admires filmmaker Li Ling-Ai, a Chinese-American female who had a substantial function in the production however was not appropriately credited.

Plot Summary
Lung, the director of "Finding Kukan", embarks on a seven-year mission to expose the almost removed historical tradition of "Kukan". "Kukan" is a landmark color documentary produced by Li Ling-Ai and Rey Scott that tape-recorded the atrocities devoted by Japan throughout the siege of China in the late 1930s. Ling-Ai, a writer and speaker, moneyed the movie and employed cameraman Rey Scott to travel to China to capture the events leading up to World War II. Regardless of her essential function, Ling-Ai was credited just as a technical consultant.

In "Finding Kukan", Lung checks out the librarian records, news article, and interviews various professionals and relative. Her objective is to discover the lost 'Kukan' prints and to restore Li Ling-Ai's almost vanished history. Lung lastly finds a making it through copy of "Kukan" archived in a private collection, which was later named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2014.

Styles and Appeal
"Finding Kukan" is a powerful exploration of gender predisposition, racial discrimination, and cultural erasure. It serves as a poignant reminiscence of the contribution of Asian-Americans to cinematic and historical records, often ignored. The film also throws light on Li Ling-Ai, an unsung heroine who dared to dream and produce during a period of significant gender and racial prejudice. Her story is narrated through Lung's journey in "Finding Kukan", which adds a layer of personal touch to the story.

Important Reception
"Finding Kukan" was popular by the critics for its effort to unbury the neglected shared history of Americans and Chinese during World War II. It is praised for revealing a forgotten chapter in movie history, offering the credit where it's due, and showcasing the power of persistence in bringing lost stories to light.

Impact
"Finding Kukan" did not just expose the unidentified side of a historical film; it successfully immortalized Li Ling-Ai by ensuring her contribution didn't remain in the shadows. Lung's journey throughout the movie functioned as an inspiration revealing how one can utilize their interest to review and rebuild lost history. Her quest set the ground for future filmmakers and historians to find, value, and commemorate unsung heroes.

To sum it up, "Finding Kukan" is more than just a documentary; it's a journey to recover the lost history and contribution of an unrecognized heroine, Li Ling-Ai, in American-Asian cinematic history. The power of perseverance, devotion, and the undeniable importance of storytelling are intensified in this engaging story.

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