A Book Talk with Joan Chen — Magic Fish

“Human life is like a catfish—always humble and small, yet resiliently alive. Amid the ordinary moments, we hold onto hope for miracles to unfold.” — Joan Chen, Magic Fish 

The catfish—those small, overlooked fish that slip through the net—may seem unremarkable and unworthy of the spotlight, yet they embody the miraculous resilience of life. From her childhood in Shanghai to forging her path alone in a distant land, from emerging onto the cinematic stage with the film Youth to gracing classics such as The Little Flower and The Last Emperor, actress and filmmaker Joan Chen employs her delicate, vivid storytelling to invite readers into her treasured memories through her autobiographical collection, Magic Fish, during the book talk. Beginning with her personal growth, she offers an intimate glimpse into the myriad lives shaped by the tides of history, revealing a remarkable and profound journey of life—rich with depth, resilience, and luminous grace. 

Date: 18 September 2025 
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM 
Venue: Yuet Ming Auditorium at HKU 
Language: English and Putonghua 

RSVP HERE

Moderator in English: Ruby Yang 

The current JMSC director and an Oscar winner, collaborated with Joan Chen on two of her films: Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998) and Autumn in New York (2002). 

Moderator in Mandarin: Xu Zhiyuan 

He previously served as the editor-in-chief of The Economic Observer. He is the publisher of Life magazine and a columnist for Yazhou Zhoukan and the Chinese website of the Financial Times. He is also one of the founders of Beijing's independent cultural bookstore, “Danxiang Street Bookstore.” Since 2016, his interview documentary series, Thirteen Talks, has been streaming online.