Unmasking: The Toll of the Sea

**An important message from the Chinese American Museum:

Due to concerns regarding the ongoing wildfires and unpredictable weather conditions affecting Los Angeles, the screening of The Toll of the Sea, originally scheduled for January 16th at 6:00 pm, is postponed. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and the community as our highest priority.

We are currently working to reschedule the event and we will announce the new date as soon as possible. Please check your email or visit camla.org/upcoming-events for event-related updates. If you have any immediate questions, feel free to contact us at info@camla.org.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging situation. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the wildfires, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and informed during this time.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to hosting Unmasking: The Toll of the Sea on a later date.

————————————————

Join the Chinese American Museum on Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 pm at the historic Pico House (424 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012) for a special, colorized screening of The Toll of the Sea (1922). The film, directed by Chester M. Franklin and produced by Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, features Anna May Wong at just 17 years old in her first leading role. Despite being a silent film, Wong’s emotive and expressive nature has led many to consider The Toll of the Sea as her breakout role in the film industry.  

Featured alongside the film screening will be an exclusive commentary and a post-screening discussion courtesy of Anna Wong, niece of Hollywood star Anna May Wong, and Katie Gee Salisbury, author of Not Your China Doll.  

RSVP today at camla.org/thetoll to join us in watching Anna May Wong shine in her first leading role and explore her life and enduring legacy through insightful conversations with experts on the iconic figure. 

About the Guest Speakers: 

Anna Wong grew up mere miles from Hollywood, where her aunt, iconic film star Anna May Wong, made an unforgettable mark on cinematic history. Inspired by the cultural impact and inclusiveness that her namesake strove to achieve, Anna has been dedicated to raising awareness of Asian Americans issues and advancing the cause of equality. She also serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Chinese American Museum.  

Katie Gee Salisbury is a fifth-generation Chinese American writer and photographer based in Brooklyn whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and more. She authors Half Caste Woman, a newsletter dedicated to sharing research and ruminations about Anna May Wong, and, in 2024, released her debut biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong. 

*Be sure to visit Unmasking Anna May Wong, CAM’s latest exhibition that honors film legend Anna May Wong. Currently on view until January 26, 2025, the exhibit showcases Wong as a trailblazer that fought racism, discrimination, and stereotyping in the film industry. The exhibit features a variety of objects, ranging from Wong’s personal effects to memorabilia from her films. Learn more about who Anna May Wong was behind the silver screen — from her childhood in LA Chinatown, to her iconic fashion sense, and her social activism outside of Hollywood.