Local Premiere: 'East Bay' Debuts at UNL's Ross Media Arts Center, Exploring Personal Struggles and Success

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\'East Bay,\' a comedy exploring success and personal fulfillment, premieres on May 31 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Directed by Daniel Yoon, the film follows Jack Lee, a 39-year-old who views himself as a failure due to setbacks in his personal and professional life. Struggling to meet his immigrant parents' expectations, Jack turns to his diverse friends for support.

The film's narrative is driven by Jack's interactions with his friends, who each face their own challenges. The group includes a guru, an arts administrator, and two computer programmers. Through these dynamics, \'East Bay\' addresses familial expectations, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness.

Meanwhile, the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center is also showing \'Evil Does Not Exist,\' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Set in the rural Japanese village of Mizubiki, it focuses on Takumi and his daughter Hana, whose peaceful life is threatened by a corporate project. The film examines the effects of modernization on traditional communities and the environment.

\'Evil Does Not Exist\' explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, and how community decisions can have lasting impacts on both.