Admissions Granted poster

About

Join BACCS Cinema for an exclusive screening of the thought-provoking documentary Admissions Granted.

This documentary, presented by MSNBC Films, tells the journey of the landmark SFFA v. Harvard lawsuit to the Supreme Court, which led to the banning of affirmative action in college admissions. Following the screening, attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with Director Hao Wu and film participant Michael Wang during a post-screening Q&A session.

Synopsis

In a landmark Supreme Court case pitting Asian American plaintiffs against Harvard University, activists on both sides wrestle with hard truths about race and equality, as the fate of affirmative action hangs in the balance.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority struck down affirmative action in higher education in the historic Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and SFFA v. University of North Carolina cases.

The film reexamines the district court trial that raised questions about how Harvard admissions officers gave high-achieving Asian applicants lower “personality” scores, and follows the emotionally charged, high-stakes journey to the Supreme Court. It documents how Edward Blum and activists on both sides strategized in court and in the media, and highlights how this case divided the Asian American community.

Combining interviews, news archives and vérité footage, along with dynamic animated sequences that bring closed-door court hearings to life, Admissions Granted honestly and thoughtfully explores the complexities of the affirmative action debate, the divisions within the Asian American community, and our nation’s growing divide on issues of race, equity, and inclusion.

Film Information

This event is an in-person interactive screening. Seating is limited.

Hao Wu

Director Hao Wu's films have received numerous awards and honors, including an Academy Award nomination, a Peabody Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His documentary People's Republic of Desire (2018) won the Grand Jury Award at SXSW, while 76 Days (2020) was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

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