Fifteen English-language movies and documentaries will be shown free of admission at OCT-LOFT from June 26 to July 17. Most of the movies center on Chinese-Americans in America. Renowned Chinese-American directors Wayne Wang and Arthur Dong will give talks to fans after screenings.
‘Chan Is Missing’ (1982)
“Chan Is Missing” is a film directed by Wayne Wang. The film, which is shot in black and white, is a mystery with noir undertones, and its title is a play on the popular Charlie Chan film series which focuses on a fictional Chinese immigrant detective in Honolulu.
“Chan Is Missing” turns the Charlie Chan detective as the missing person that the movie’s two protagonists, Jo and Steve, search for. In the process of trying to locate Chan, a fractured, even contradictory portrait of him emerges, mirroring the complexities of the polyglot Chinese-American community that Chan’s character represents.
Time: 7:30 p.m., June 26
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
Director Wayne Wang will talk with moviegoers after screening.
‘Eat a Bowl of Tea’ (1989)
The story begins with an exposition of the difficult lives of the first generation of male Chinese-American immigrants who were not allowed to bring their wives and families with them into the United States due to the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Ben is one of the immigrants and has just finished serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Due to the G.I. Bill, he is allowed to bring his bride back from China which he does after an arranged marriage. As one of the first couples of child-bearing age within Chinatown, they have to deal with the expectations of the entire Chinatown community.
Time: 7:30 p.m., June 27
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
Director Wayne Wang will talk with moviegoers after screening.
‘Sewing Woman’ (1982)
“Sewing Woman” is a short documentary directed by Arthur Dong about one woman’s journey to America, from an arranged marriage in old China to life in San Francisco. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.
“Sewing Woman” is based on a series of oral histories and the life story of the filmmaker’s mother, Zem Ping Dong, an immigrant who has worked in San Francisco garment factories for over 30 years.
Time: 7:30 p.m., June 29
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
Director Arthur Dong will talk with moviegoers after screening.
‘Hollywood Chinese’ (2007)
From early films like the 1900s “Beheading the Chinese Prisoner” to Ang Lee’s triumphant “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005, Arthur Dong utilizes clips of more than 100 films and interviews of prominent Chinese-Americans to create a thorough overview on the depiction of Chinese in mainstream Hollywood films.
He hits many major points such as white performers who portray Asians in both “The Good Earth” and “Fu Manchu” series, Nancy Kwan’s roles in “The World of Suzie Wong,” Bruce Lee and the emergence of martial arts films and Justin Lin’s take on his film “Better Luck Tomorrow.”
Time: 7:45 p.m., June 29
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
Director Arthur Dong will talk with moviegoers after screening.
‘Licensed to Kill’ (1997)
“Licensed to Kill” is a documentary written and directed by Arthur Dong, in which Dong, (a homosexual man himself) interviews various homophobic murderers. Dong’s work combines the art of the visual medium with an investigation into social issues, examining topics such as Asian-American history and identity, and gay oppression.
Time: 7:30 p.m., June 30
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
Director Arthur Dong will talk with moviegoers after screening.
‘Wo Ai Ni Mommy’ (2010)
“Wo Ai Ni Mommy” is an American documentary film directed by Stephanie Wang-Breal. The documentary follows the story of a then 8-year-old Chinese girl, Fang Sui Yong, who was adopted by a Jewish Long Island family. Given a new name of “Faith” by her new adoptive mother, Donna Sadowsky, the film documents Faith’s life just before her adoption in China, and follows her journey to America for a period of 18 months.
Time: 3 p.m., July 1
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘Miss Chinatown’ (2006)
“Miss Chinatown” is a documentary directed by Kathy Huang. Joining the Miss Chinatown Pageant was the last thing on Katie Au’s mind. She never learned to speak Chinese and didn’t fit in with other Chinese-American girls. Then her mother entered her into the contest, and her father decided to play pageant coach.
Time: 4 p.m., July 1
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘Saving Face’ (2004)
“Saving Face” is a 2004 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Alice Wu. The film focuses on Wilhelmina, a young Chinese-American surgeon; her unwed, pregnant mother; and her dancer girlfriend.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 2
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘Charlotte Sometimes’ (2002)
Directed by Eric Byler, “Charlotte Sometimes” is a “mysterious and erotic” romance exploring the kinds of love for which there are no names or clear arrangements.
Michael is a reclusive auto mechanic captivated by an enigmatic drifter. When the women in Michael’s life meet face to face, Michael is forced to choose between a daring tryst with an alluring stranger, and the habitual comfort of his bittersweet obsession.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 3
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘9-Man’ (2014)
“9-Man” is a documentary about the sport 9-man played in Chinatowns in the United States and Canada. The New York Times called it “an absorbing documentary.” The film, which follows the all-male sport of 9-man, was produced by a largely female crew, led by first-time director Ursula Liang and editor Michelle Chang. The documentary follows several modern-day 9-man teams throughout one season framed by a historical portrait of Chinatown and the game of 9-man.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 8
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘The Lulu Sessions’ (2011)
“The Lulu Sessions” is a feature-length documentary film by S. Casper Wong about a prominent cancer researcher who is dying of breast cancer at the age of 43. It explores human fears and presumptions, family ties and forgiveness, love and friendships, including that between Wong and Lulu, who was a professor of pharmacology at the University of Minnesota.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 9
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘Children of Invention’ (2009)
“Children of Invention” is a feature film written and directed by Tze Chun. The first half of the movie centers around Elaine Cheng, a single mother and immigrant living in the Boston suburbs, and the life she provides for her two children. As a way to cope and entertain themselves, the kids invent things. The mother is drawn to pyramid schemes as a way to get ahead and repeatedly loses money. Eventually her two young children are left to fend for themselves when their mother is arrested by the police.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 10
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
‘In the Family’ (2011)
“In the Family” is an independent drama film that was the directorial debut of Patrick Wang. It tells the story of the surviving partner’s attempt to maintain his relationship with his dead partner’s young son.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 15
Venue: B10 Live, OCT-LOFT
‘American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs’ (2013)
“American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs” is an American biographical documentary film directed by Grace Lee who tracks the evolving beliefs and activism of philosopher Grace Lee Boggs.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 16
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
‘Advantageous’ (2015)
“Advantageous” is an American drama film directed by Jennifer Phang. Set in the near future, Gwen works as the face of the Center for Advanced Health and Living. Despite her relatively affluent position in life she is working for below scale and is having difficulty sustaining the lifestyle. She wants to ensure that her daughter, Jules, has a solid education and future. When she is abruptly let go from her job, Gwen’s optimism quickly dissolves as she realizes that the only offer she has for employment is as an egg donor as women are rapidly becoming infertile. The firing comes at a critical juncture in Gwen’s life as she desperately needs money in order to ensure Jules’s position at an elite school.
Time: 7:30 p.m., July 17
Venue: A3+, OCT-LOFT
(SD News)
Entry is free!
Venue: A3+ & B10 Live, North Area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (南山区华侨城创意文化园北区A3+和B10现场)
Metro: Luobao Line, Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A
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