TYRUS – The Artist Behind Bambi

Next up for CATS on Thursday, August 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m., in collaboration with The Onyx Downtown, at the Nevada Theatre, is a screening of the documentary, Tyrus, by filmmaker Pamela Tom. This film follows the life and times of Tyrus Wong, whose visual art inspired Disney’s Bambi, and his breathtaking scope of artistic work, his personal and professional journey navigating racial bigotry in 20th century America, will inspire you.

Filmmaker Pamela Tom makes meticulous use of Tyrus Wong’s exquisite art, archival footage, illuminating interviews, and commentary from Wong himself.  She documents how his unique style, melding Chinese calligraphic and landscape influences with contemporary Western art, helped the Disney 1942 animated film, specifically, and early Hollywood, in general, establish their signature visual styles. The film makes a critical contribution to the documentary tradition and to American society in correcting a historical wrong by spotlighting this seminal, but, heretofore, under-credited figure. Meet the filmmaker for a virtual Q&A afterwards.  CATS is grateful for its ongoing collaboration with the Onyx Downtown at the Nevada Theatre. Tickets will be available soon at the Onyx’s website.