On July 20, 2023, UnionDocs, Center for Documentary Art in Brooklyn, will host a special event featuring the work of Yehui Zhao, a filmmaker and performer who explores the themes of womanhood, land and memory in her ethereal and poetic films. The event, titled The Land Will Wake Up and Devour Us, will include a screening of three of Zhao's short films, followed by a performance and a conversation with filmmaker Lynne Sachs.
Yehui Zhao is a Chinese-born artist based in New York. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts with an MFA in Social Documentary Film. Her films have been shown at various festivals and venues, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Camden International Film Festival, the BlackStar Film Festival and more. Her work often combines documentary and experimental elements, blending personal narratives with surreal imagery and soundscapes.
After the screening, Zhao will do a live reading of her Ride Home, an illustrated essay published by the Brooklyn Rail earlier this year. The event will conclude with a conversation between Zhao and Lynne Sachs, a renowned filmmaker and educator who has been making films for over 30 years. Sachs will engage with Zhao on her artistic process, influences and vision.
The Land Will Wake Up and Devour Us is part of UnionDocs' ongoing programming that showcases innovative and impactful documentary art from around the world. UnionDocs is a non-profit organization that presents, produces, publishes and educates on documentary art. It offers various opportunities for artists and audiences to engage with documentary art, such as workshops, labs, fellowships, publications and events.