Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, has won the ‘Audience Choice Award’ for Best Short Film from Katra Film Series.
Photo by Lia Chang
Katra Film Series’ screening of Patrick Chen’s A Father’s Son played to a sold-out house at Regal Essex Crossing in New York on April 26, 2023.
KATRA Film Series Founder Geoffrey Guerrero at Regal Essex Crossing in New York on April 26, 2023. Photo by Adam LimFilmmakers during the Q & A after the KATRA Film Series screening at Regal Essex Crossing in New York on April 26, 2023. Photo by Adam LimWing Lee, Henry Chang, Patrick Chen. Photo by Adam LimRow 1: Vera Chow, Jinny Chung. Row 2: Yixin Cen, Kathleen Kwan, Perry Yung, William Hsieh. Row 3: Wing Lee, Adam Lim, Shuhei Kinoshita, Joey Orlando, Tim Liu, Henry Chang, Sean Lau, Karen Tsen Lee, Patrick Chen, Jason Chew, Joe Chan, Evan Lam, Dave Chan. Photo by Nano LeonHenry Chang, Perry Yung, Wing Lee, Patrick Chen. Photo by Adam LimJinny Chung, Karen Tsen Lee, Kathleen Kwan, Vera Chow. Photo by Nano Leon
Henry Chang shared, “Winning the ‘Audience Choice Award’ for BEST SHORT FILM demonstrates that viewers appreciate the efforts of cast and crew to portray not only an engrossing story but the culture and language of Chinatown as well. It means that audiences are ready for honest in-depth stories beyond the usual stereotypical fare that is offered. Everyone involved should be most proud. Thank you all!”
Henry Chang. Photo by Patrick ChenFilmmaker Patrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Shuhei KinoshitaPhoto by Patrick ChenSpecial thanks to the entire KATRA TEAM from A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Nanon Leon
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
The latest awards tally for A Father’s Son include the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son’s star Tzi Ma, a 2022 New York Shorts International Film Festival Special Mention Honors, A 2022 Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest Best Adaptation from a Book Award and a 2022 KAFFNY Infinite Cinema Short Film Audience Award.
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, is an official selection of the Katra Film Series and will screen on Wednesday, April 26 at Regal Essex Crossing (129 Delancey Street) near Manhattan’s Chinatown at 6:15pm, after which there will be a filmmaker Q&A.
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
The Katra Film Series program will screen four other shorts including Never Forget, The Blue Line, OVERDUE, Rose, At Last…, Wendy, and The Hope Chest Has a Secret Drawer.
The latest awards tally for A Father’s Son include the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son’s star Tzi Ma, a 2022 New York Shorts International Film Festival Special Mention Honors, A 2022 Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest Best Adaptation from a Book Award and a 2022 KAFFNY Infinite Cinema Short Film Audience Award.
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Lia Chang, co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, has launched her latest venture, BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, an Arts and Entertainment program produced weekly at the studios of MNN.org.
Lia Chang
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, an award-winning filmmaker, and a photo activist and documentarian, who lifts up and amplifies BIPOC communities and artists and the institutions that support them. Bev’s Girl Films collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations.
Lia Chang and Henry Chang. Photo by Jason Chew
The sixteenth episode of BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, executive produced and hosted by Lia, aired on December 25 at 6:30 pm (EST) on FIOS 34, RCN 83, and Spectrum 56/1996, and streamed on MNN2. If you missed the episode, it is archived on my youtube channel or you can watch below.
Lia Chang and Henry Chang. Photo by Lori Tan Chinn
This edition of Backstage Pass with Lia Chang feature a short story reading with Crime Novelist Henry Chang at Yu & Me Books; A Child’s Christmas in Wales‘ Featuring Ali Ewoldt and Kylie Kuioka; Latest Awards Tally for A Father’s Son; and Christmas with You Production Designer Wing Lee.
Kylie Kuioka, Ali Ewoldt and Lia Chang at A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES.
It was a dark and stormy night on the 1st Tuesday of December when I joined my friend, Crime Fiction Novelist Henry Chang at my favorite bookstore, Yu & Me Books located at 44 Mulberry St. in Manhattan’s Chinatown to read excerpts from his latest short story “A-LI-EN”.
A-LI-EN, a short story by Henry Chang, featured in the new anthology, The Perfect Crime. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry’s short story is part of an anthology called The Perfect Crime. From Lagos to Mexico City, Australia to the Caribbean, Toronto to Los Angeles, Darjeeling to rural New Zealand, London to New York – twenty-two bestselling crime writers from diverse cultures come together from across the world in a razor sharp and deliciously sinister collection of crime stories. Published by HarperCollins and edited by Vaseem Khan and Maxim Jakubowski.
The Perfect Crime. Photo by Lia Chang
Featuring Oyinkan Braithwaite, Abir Mukherjee, S.A. Cosby, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, J.P. Pomare, Sheena Kamal, Vaseem Khan, Sulari Gentill, Nelson George, Rachel Howzell Hall, John Vercher, Sanjida Kay, Amer Anwar, Henry Chang, Nadine Matheson, Mike Phillips, Ausma Zehanat Khan, Felicia Yap, Thomas King, Imran Mahmood, David Heska Wanbli Weiden and Walter Mosley.
I have been a fan of Henry’s crime fiction- the Detective Jack Yu Investigative Series – for years. The Series has been adapted to an award-winning short film – Patrick’s Chen’s A Father’s Son – starring Tzi Ma, Ronny Chieng, Perry Yung and Kathleen Kwan, and is dedicated to the Chinatown community where Chang still resides.
Author Ed Lin and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Clara Hsu. Photo by Lia Chang
Yixin Cen, Henry Chang and Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and friends. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang and Henry Chang. Photo by Jason Chew
Henry Chang and Gloria Sangirardi Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Lori Tan Chinn. Photo by Lia Chang
Lori Tan Chinn and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Vic Huey. Photo by Lia Chang
His debut novel Chinatown Beat garnered high praise from the New York Times Book Review, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Mystery Newsand January Magazine among others. Additional stories have appeared in Murdaland, Asian Pulp, The NuYorAsian Anthology, On a Bed of Rice, The Usual Santas, and The Perfect Crime.
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
He has appeared in Chinatown “tours” via Henry Chang SinoVision (2017), Chinatown Beat New Yorker video (2021), and continues to advocate for the Community. Visit Henry Chang at “Detective Jack Yu Investigative Series”.
Henry Chang, Wing Lee, Ronny Chieng, Patrick Chen and Lia Chang attend the New York Shorts International Film Festival at Cinema Village in New York on Oct. 26, 2022.
The latest awards tally for A Father’s Son include the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son’s star Tzi Ma, a 2022 New York Shorts International Film Festival Special Mention Honors, A 2022 Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest Best Adaptation from a Book Award and a 2022 KAFFNY Infinite Cinema Short Film Audience Award.
Also a special shoutout to Wing Lee, our Production Designer for A Father’s Son and one of the co-producers , for his special mention in Variety for this work on the Netflix Holiday Movie, Christmas with You starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Aimee Garcia.
Joe Chan, Wing Lee and Lia Chang in ‘Grampa’s Mixed Nuts’ design by Wing.
Yu and Me books is the first female owned Asian-American bookstore in New York City located in historical Manhattan Chinatown at 44 Mulberry St.
Henry Chang and Lucy Yu. Photo by Lia Chang
Lucy Yu, the owner of Yu & Me Books, says that her dream was always to create a home that she never found in a bookstore growing up. Yu and Me Books is a bookstore / café / bar that focuses on the strong, diverse voices of our community, with a focus on immigrant stories. The initials of the bookstore, YM, are actually her mother’s initials to showcase the stories and love in different languages that have been passed down for generations.
Yu & Me Books. Photo by Lia Chang
Lucy’s dream was to create a space where we can dream together, share our passion, strive for change, and push systems closer to justice. There is a huge lack of representation within the literary space, and she has created a space where everyone feels welcomed and heard. It’s something special to read a story that you relate to and see yourself represented after a lifetime of not being able to.
Henry Chang, Lia Chang, Lori Tan Chinn and Lucy Yu. Photo by Gloria Sangirardi Jung
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, activist, documentarian and an Award winning filmmaker and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Lia is also the host and Executive Producer of BACKSTAGE PASS WITH LIA CHANG, an Arts and Entertainment and Lifestyle program that airs on Sundays at 6:30pm on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996, and streams at MNN2.
Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. Her short film, When the World Was Young garnered a 2021 DisOrient Film Audience Choice Award for Best Short Narrative. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations.
Lia is the recipient of the 2022 Prospect Muse Award, 2000 OCA Chinese American Journalist Award, the 2001 AAJA National Award for New Media. Lia is an AAJA Executive Leadership Graduate (2000), a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age (2000), a National Press Photographers Association Visual Edge/Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media (2001), a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism (2002), and a National Tropical Botanical Garden Environmental Journalism Fellow (2003).
Lia Chang, co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, has launched her latest venture, BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, an Arts and Entertainment program produced weekly at the studios of MNN.org.
Arthur Dong and Lia Chang at the opening reception of HOLLYWOOD CHINESE: The First 100 Years at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in LA on Nov. 4, 2022. Photo by Tami Chang
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, an award-winning filmmaker, and a photo activist and documentarian, who lifts up and amplifies BIPOC communities and artists and the institutions that support them. Bev’s Girl Films collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations.
The tenth episode of BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, executive produced and hosted by Lia, aired on November 13 at 6:30 pm (EST) on FIOS 34, RCN 83, and Spectrum 56/1996. If you miss the episode, it is archived on my youtube channel.
Watch below:
On this edition of BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, I’ll be shining the spotlight on my Asian American colleagues taking centerstage.
Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Arthur Dong has curated a terrific film series presented by The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Hollywood Chinese: The First 100 Years. Screenings of all 27 films in the series take place at the museum’s state of the art Ted Mann Theater in Los Angeles through Nov. 27.
The film series both critiques and celebrates Hollywood’s depictions of the Chinese, and presents groundbreaking Chinese American artists who navigated industry challenges from the beginning of film history to now.
On the opening weekend, I flew to LA to celebrate the 15th anniversary since the release of Arthur Dong’s Hollywood Chinese documentary, and it was screened as the kick-off of the 27-film series.
TOP: Joan Chen, James Hong, Nancy Kwan, Ang Lee, Christopher Lee. MIDDLE: Luise Rainer, James Shigeta, Amy Tan, B.D. Wong, Wayne Wang. BOTTOM: Tsai Chin, David Henry Hwang, Lisa Lu, Justin Lin, Turhan Bey.
I watched a double bill of Anna May Wong in Daughter of the Dragon and King of Chinatown and then reconnected with my Big Trouble in Little China cast mates James Hong, Peter Kwong, Dennis Dun and Gerald Okamura at a screening of the film, followed by Q & A.
Irene Tsu, Joycelyne Lew, Peter Kwong, Rhonda Wong, James Hong, Dennis Dun, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, Arthur Dong. Photo by Tami Chang
Click here for tickets and more information on the film series.
Click here to purchase Hollywood Chinese:The Chinese in American Feature Films.
Saturday evening served as a tribute to James Hong, which you can watch on my episode airing on Nov. 20.
Featured on the show:
Patrick Chen’s award winning short film, A Father’s Son, starring Tzi Ma, Ronny Chieng, Perry Yung and Kathleen Kwan.
Henry Chang, Wing Lee, Ronny Chieng, Patrick Chen and Lia Chang attend the New York Shorts International Film Festival at Cinema Village in New York on Oct. 26, 2022.
Yilong Liu’s Good Enemy at Minetta Lane Theatre – through Nov. 27
Ryan Spahn, Ron Domingo, Chay Yew, Francis Jue, Yilong Liu, Geena Quintos, Jeena Yi, Tim Liu, Alec Silver, Emilia LaPenta – Producer of New Play Development and Commissions for Audible Theater. Photo by Lia Chang
Audible, Inc.’s production of Yilong Liu’s Good Enemy, directed by Chay Yew and featuring Francis Jue, Ron Domingo, Tim Liu, Geena Quintos, Alec Silver, Ryan Spahn and Jeena Yi.
A father learns that closing the door to his past means shutting his daughter out in Good Enemy, Yilong Liu’s haunting and hopeful new play. When Howard (Francis Jue) makes a surprise cross-country trip to visit his college-age, Tik Tok-loving daughter, he’s forced to confront the realities of their relationship and the rift between them—a rift caused by Howard’s refusal to face memories of his life as a young man in China. In a smart, thrilling story that deftly weaves two generations and two continents amidst sweeping social changes, Good Enemy explores the power of human connections…affirming that no one lives an “ordinary” life, no matter how hard they might try.
Performances at Minetta Lane Theatre through Nov. 27. Tickets from $35 for Good Enemy are on sale now at www.Audible.com/MinettaLane.
Audible Theater is proud to collaborate with TodayTix to offer $20 mobile rush tickets beginning at 10am each performance day. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively through the TodayTix app.
Ryan Spahn, Ron Domingo, Chay Yew, Francis Jue, Yilong Liu, Geena Quintos, Jeena Yi, Tim Liu, Alec Silver, Emilia LaPenta – Producer of New Play Development and Commissions for Audible Theater. Photo by Lia Chang
Playwrights Horizons’ hosted a special AAPI night for Mia Chung’s Catch as Catch Can, directed by Daniel Aukin, which has performances through November 20.
Set deep in blue-collar New England, Catch as Catch Can centers on the Phelans and the Lavecchias as they welcome home a recently-engaged prodigal son-setting off an evolving crisis that reshapes their lives, and the play itself.
Cindy Cheung and Jon Norman Schneider in Playwrights Horizons’ production of Mia Chung’s CATCH AS CATCH CAN. Photo by Joan Marcus
In this surprising, theatrically demanding work, actors double in roles of father and daughter, mothers and sons. As the families gather for the holidays, the weight of familial expectations bears down on the younger generation; such community pressure and the very meaning of family finds heightened expression in a theatrical high-wire act, as the actors acrobatically play across gender, generation, and race.
Rob Yang and Cindy Cheung in Playwrights Horizons’ production of Mia Chung’s CATCH AS CATCH CAN. Photo by Joan MarcusJon Norman Schneider, Cindy Cheung, Rob Yang. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast includes Cindy Cheung (Playwrights: Log Cabin; The Civilians’ The Great Immensity) as father Lon Lavecchia and daughter Daniela Lavecchia; Jon Norman Schneider (Awake and Sing!, The Oldest Boy) as mother Roberta Lavecchia and son Robbie Lavecchia; and Rob Yang (Succession, American Rust) as mother Theresa Phelan and son Tim Phelan.
Amaterasu Za is presenting Chushingura – 47 Ronin, adapted and directed by Ako Dachs, The production will be performed mainly in Japanese with English subtitles. Chushingura – 47 Ronin has been extended through November 13 at the A.R.T./New York Mezzanine Theater, 502 W. 53rd Street.
Chushingura – 47 Ronin is based on one of the most enduring stories in Japan. Portraying real events that took place in 1702-1703 during Japan’s Shogun-led Edo period, this sprawling story of honor, betrayal, clan loyalty, sacrifice, justice, and revenge has been told and retold in hundreds of ways in Japanese books, plays, movies, television dramas, and animated series. This new stage adaptation is performed mainly in Japanese with some English and supertitles translation throughout.
The cast includes Ako (FX’s “Shogun.” Off Broadway: God Said This -Lortel nom.), Yoshi Amao (TV: “Shogun,” “Mr. Robot.”), Saori Goda, (NBC’s “Love Your Selfie”), Tatsuo Ichikawa (Apple TV+, “We Crashed”), Rina Maejima (A Chorus Line), Jun Suenaga (Film: Mother’s Day), Yasu Suzuki (Film: College Road Trip. NETFLIX’s “Daredevil”), Hiroko Yonekura (Regional: Avenue Q), and Minami Yoshimura (Regional: Godspell).
Lloyd Suh’s The Far Country at Atlantic Theater Company – Nov. 17-Jan. 1
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is presenting the world premiere production of The Far Country, an Atlantic commissioned play by Guggenheim fellow Lloyd Suh, directed by Obie Award winner Eric Ting.
The Far Country features Ben Chase (Mondo Tragic), Jinn S. Kim (Race, Religion & Politics), Whit K. Lee (Assassins), Christopher Liam Moore (All The Way), Shannon Tyo (The Chinese Lady), Amy Kim Waschke (Off-Broadway debut), and Eric Yang (Legacy).
The Far Country begins performances on Thursday, November 17th, and will open Monday, December 5th, for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 1st, 2023 Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).
An intimate epic that follows an unlikely family’s journey from rural Taishan to the wild west of California in the wake of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Schedule:
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
Monday evening performance on 12/26 at 7pm.
Wednesday matinee performance on 12/7, 12/21 & 12/28 at 2pm.
No Sunday evening performance on 12/11.
No performance on Saturday, 12/24 and Sunday, 12/25.
Tickets:
Regular tickets begin at $75. Order online at atlantictheater.org or by calling AudienceView at 646-989-7996.
Atlantic is committed to connecting deeply and authentically with audiences from a broad range of economic backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and perspectives. Its access ticket initiative makes $25 tickets available to every preview performance in the 2022|2023 season. Access tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis via Atlantic’s website beginning 2 weeks prior to the first performance of each Atlantic Theater Company 2022|2023 production. $25 access tickets for The Far Country are on sale now.
Thom Sesma in Classic Stage Company’s A Man of No Importance
Ken Leung in Will Arbery’s Evanston Salt Costs Climbing In previews
KPOP- Eddy Lee, Lina Lee, Kate Mina Lin, Jully Lee, Woo Sung Hyun ( kevin woo ), Zachary Noah Piser, Jinwoo Jung
Vichet Chum’s BALD SISTERS at Steppenwolf in Chicago – Dec. 1-Jan. 15, 2023
The cast of BALD SISTERS includes, Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Jennifer Lim, Coburn Goss, Wai Ching Ho and Nima Rakhshanifar.
Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf’s world premiere of BALD SISTERS, written by Vichet Chum, directed by Jesca Prudencio. The next show in their new in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Chicago, BALD SISTERS invites you to get up close and personal with all the family drama—and comedy. The cast includes Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Jennifer Lim, Coburn Goss, Wai Ching Ho and Nima Rakhshanifar. FF10 online to get $10 off TICKETS to any preview or regular public performances. Click here for more information regarding discounted tickets. Steppenwolf Theatre Company is located at 1650 N Halsted Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
RECENTLY STAGED PRODUCTIONS
R.A. Shiomi’s Fire in the New World
Gregory Yang as Sam Shikaze and Anna Hashizume as Yumiko Alexander. Photo by LKBachman
Full Circle Theater presented the World Premiere of Fire in the New World, written and directed by Full Circle Co-Artistic Director R.A. Shiomi, at Park Square Theatre’s Proscenium Stage through Nov. 6.
The World Premiere was the third installment of Shiomi’s noir-style detective comedies featuring Sam Shikaze, the hard-boiled private eye who fights crime in Vancouver’s Japantown and beyond in the years after WWII. This time, Sam is up against a big time developer intent on bulldozing his community. But Sam is also hired to find the developer’s missing Japanese American wife. The play is a smart and fun detective comedy chock full of social commentary and sly intrigue.
The cast includes Gregory (Greg) Yang (he/him) as Sam Shikaze, Brian Joyce (he/him) as Jonathan Webster, Anna Hashizume (she/her) as Yumiko Alexander, Alice McGlave (she/her) as Rosie Ohara, Joe Allen (he/they) as Roderic Alexander, Keivin Vang (he/him), Song Kim (he/him) as Mas Matsumoto and Alec Berchem (he/him) as Tom Williams.
Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone at The Guthrie
In October, The Guthrie Theater presented Vietgone by Qui Nguyen, with original music by Shane Rettig and directed by Mina Morita on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN.
Hyunmin Rhee, Rebecca Hirota, Eric Sharp, Viet Vo, and Emjoy Gavino in Qui Nguyen’s VIETGONE at The Guthrie Theater. Photo: Dan Norman
Part history play and part memoir, Nguyen’s irreverent, whip-smart comedy uses flashbacks and bursts of rap music to share a human-centered view of the Vietnam War and its aftermath. When Saigon falls in 1975, Vietnamese refugees Quang (Hyunmin Rhee) and Tong (Emjoy Gavino) find themselves living in the land of “cheeseburgers, waffle fries and cholesterol” (aka America) — an intoxicating adventure that leads them to question their futures, both together and in their new country.
The cast of Vietgone features Emjoy Gavino (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol) as Tong/Ensemble, Rebecca Hirota (Guthrie: debut) as Thu/Huong/Ensemble, Hyunmin Rhee (Guthrie: debut) as Quang, Eric Sharp as Nhan/Khue/Ensemble (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, As You Like It) and Viet Vo (Guthrie: debut) as Playwright/Bobby/Giai/Ensemble.
Viet Vo, Eric Sharp, Hyunmin Rhee in Qui Nguyen’s VIETGONE at The Guthrie Theater. Photo: Dan Norman
Jiehae Park’s peerless
Sasha Diamond, Benny Wayne Sully, Shannon Tyo in Jiehae Park’s peerless. Photo: James Leynse
PRIMARY STAGES and 59E59 Theaters, in association with Jamie deRoy, is presenting peerless, by Jiehae Park (Hannah and the Dread Gazebo) and directed by Margot Bordelon (… what the end will be). peerless played a limited run at 59E59’s Theater A (59 E 59th Street) through Nov. 6.
The cast of peerless features Marié Botha as “Dirty Girl/Preppy Girl,” Anthony Cason as “BF,” Sasha Diamond as “M,” Benny Wayne Sully as “D/Brother” and Shannon Tyo as “L.”
A darkly comedic twist on Shakespeare’s Macbeth set in the cutthroat world of elite college admissions, Jiehae Park’s clever and incisive adaptation, peerless, is a comedy…until it’s not.
This new version of the classic story centers on M and L, twin Asian-American siblings who have given up everything to get into The College. When another classmate claims what they feel is rightfully “their spot,” the twins decide they have only one option: murder.
David Zayas, Katy Sullivan, Kara Young and Gregg Mozgala. Photo by Zachary Maxwell Stertz
Manhattan Theatre Club extended the Broadway premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cost of Living, written by Martyna Majok (Sanctuary City, Ironbound) and directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney, at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through November 6.
Cost of Living‘s cast features acclaimed original stars Gregg Mozgala (Lucille Lortel Award winner for his performance) and Katy Sullivan (Theatre World Award winner for her performance), who reunite for the Broadway production; Tony Award nominee Kara Young (Clyde’s, The New Englanders at MTC); and David Zayas (“Dexter,” Anna in the Tropics).
Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize, Martyna Majok’s powerhouse play receives its Broadway premiere after a celebrated run at MTC’s Stage I. Hailed by The New York Times as “gripping, immensely haunting and exquisitely attuned,” this insightful, intriguing work is about the forces that bring people together, the complexity of caring and being cared for, and the ways we all need each other in this world. Kara Young and David Zayas join acclaimed original stars Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan in this production, again directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney.
Jason Ma, Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Jojo Gonzalez, Eileen Rivera, Nelson T. Eusebio III, Valérie Thérèse Bart, Lia Chang. Photo by Rani O’Brien
Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Twelfth Night – chatting with Nelson Eusebio, composer Jason Ma, Jojo Gonzalez.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, activist and an Award winning filmmaker and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Lia is also the host and Executive Producer of BACKSTAGE PASS WITH LIA CHANG, a new Arts and Entertainment program that airs on Sundays at 6:30pm on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996.
Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. Her short film, When the World Was Young recently garnered a 2021 DisOrient Film Audience Choice Award for Best Short Narrative. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations.
Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, will screen at Queens World Film Festival on Friday, November 4 at The Museum of the Moving Images (Redstone Theater), 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106 at 7:15pm. The film is also available on demand with the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest from October 28 – November 6, 2022.
MoMi Tickets are on SALE now (Promo Code: QWFF2022) Purchase tickets.
This program will screen four other shorts including In Sickness & In Health, Two Wongs, ELEVATE and In the Valley of the Moon and will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers.
Patrick Chen and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
A Father’s Son, an official selection of the New York Shorts International Film Festival, screened at Cinema Village in New York on October 26. Our star, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”), who stars as Detective Jack Yu, was in the house. Click here for the full lineup. The film recently garnered a 2022 NYSIFF Festival Special Mention.
Chen has also been nominated for Best Director for a Narrative Short by the Queens World Film Festival.
Photo by Lia ChangFilmmakers Patrick Chen, Spencer Roth-Rose, Ajai Vishwanath, Michael Markham attend 2022 NYSIFF at Cinema Village on October 26, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangWing Lee, Henry Chang and Jinny Chung. Photo by Lia ChangPatrick Chen and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang, Wing Lee, Ronny Chieng, Patrick Chen and Lia ChangPatrick Chen, Karen Ng and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang, Wing Lee, Patrick Chen, Gigi Thai. Photo by Lia Chang
A Father’s Son also stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan, Tigertale) as Krang Li, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu, and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Boston Asian American Film Festival VOD (10/21-10/31): Purchase tickets.
Congratulations to our fearless leader, Director Patrick Chen, who has been nominated for Best Director for a Narrative Short by the Queens World Film Festival.
VOD 10/28-11/6
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest Click here to watch online.
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Tzi recently received the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels is screening at the Boston Asian American Film Festival (10/21), New York Shorts International Film Festival (10/26), Queens World Film Festival (11/4) and will be available on demand with the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest from October 28 – November 6, 2022.
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan, Tigertale) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu, and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
October 21, 2022 at 8:30pm
Boston Asian American Film Festival
Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
Congratulations to our fearless leader, Director Patrick Chen, who has been nominated for Best Director for a Narrative Short by the Queens World Film Festival.
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Tzi recently received the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Lia Chang, co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, has launched her latest venture, BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, an Arts and Entertainment program produced weekly at the studios of MNN.org.
Lia Chang. Photo by Daniel K. Isaac
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, an award-winning filmmaker, and a photo activist and documentarian, who lifts up and amplifies BIPOC communities and artists and the institutions that support them.
Lia Chang and Tzi Ma. Photo by Karen Lee.
The second episode of BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang, executive produced and hosted by Lia, will air on Sunday, September 4 at 3:30 pm (PST)/6:30 pm (EST) on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996 and MNN 2 .
Henry Chang, Tzi Ma and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
In Episode 2, Lia covers the New York premiere of Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels.
Updated: For those who missed the episode, you can watch it below.
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan, Tigertale) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu, and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Tzi Ma in a scene from A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma is currently shooting his third season of The CW’s “Kung Fu,” in Vancouver, but he was able to spend 48 hours in New York for the premiere and more.
Tzi Ma, Shannon Dang and Kheng Hua Tan in Kung Fu, Photo: Kailey Schwerman/The CWPerry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Below are highlights of Tzi’s 48 hours.
August 12, 2022 – 10am – NB Wing Wong Restaurant in NY Chinatown.
What do you do when you land in New York in the morning? If you are Tzi Ma, you head to NB Wing Wong Restaurant in New York Chinatown to have a “Chinese Breakfast” with your cast and crew.
Jinny Chung, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Tzi Ma, Lia Chang, Gloria Sangirardi Jung, Joey Orlando, Shuhei Kinoshita, Jason Chew, Patrick Chen, Tim Liu at NB Wing Wong in New York on August 12, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
August 13 – 1:30pm – Flor De Mayo We met up again on Saturday afternoon for a Peruvian/Chinese feast at Flor De Mayo to nourish and fortify ourselves prior to the closing night of the AAIFF45 at Asia Society.
Vic Huey, Henry Chang, Wing Lee, Jinny Chung, Tzi Ma and Lia Chang at Flor De Mayo in New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
5:00 pm – Asia Society for photos prior to the screening.
AAIFF45 volunteers and the welcoming committee of the closing night of the Film Festival at Asia Society New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia ChangOur official A FATHER’S SON poster for cast and crew to sign. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma and John Woo, Executive Director, AsianCinevision. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang, Wing Lee, John Woo, Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang, Lia Chang, Wing Lee, John Woo, Tzi Ma. Photo by Jinny Chung.Tzi Ma and John Woo. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTim Liu. Photo by Lia ChangDave Chan. Photo by Lia ChangWing Lee and Jinny Chung. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangAdam Lim and his wife, Staci Chen. Photo by Lia ChangDave Chan and Mark Liberman. Photo by Lia ChangOCA members and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTim Liu and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangGloria Sangirardi Jung and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangLia Chang, Tzi Ma, Wing Lee, Rachel Cooper. Photo by Carina Evangelista1st row: Wing Lee, David Henry Hwang, Eva Hwang. 2nd Row: Jessica Hagedorn, Prof. Ava Chin and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangWai Ching Ho, Karen Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangA guest and Andrea Louie. Photo by Lia ChangJoey Orlando, Tim Liu and Shuhei Kinoshita. Photo by Lia Chang
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Brandon Lee, Bruna Lacerda, Grayson Chin, Jason Chew, Ken Lin, Shuhei Kinoshita, Joey Orlando, Adam Lim, Yixin Cen, Tzi Ma, Karen Lee, Sean Lau, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Patrick Chen, Phil Nee, Tim Liu, Rozina Leong. Not Pictured: Dave Chan, Wai Ching Ho and Mark Liberman at the NY Premiere of A FATHER’S SON at AAIFF45 at Asia Society in New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
7:15pm The 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45), presented by Citi, and a production of Asian CineVision (ACV) in association with Asia Society, honored New York City’s Chinatown with nods to ACV’s roots in its “ChinatownBeat” programming on August 13. Each film in this block was directed by an ACV alum filmmaker. In addition to A Father’s Son, the block included the New York premiere of Curtis Chin’s new documentary film, DEAR CORKY, which honors the legacy of ACV pioneer and community activist, Corky Lee who documented the APA community for over 50 years, and a screening of the groundbreaking documentary about AAPI activism in the 1970s, FROM SPIKES TO SPINDLES, by Christine Choy — one of ACV’s founders.
John Woo, Executive Director, Asian Cinevision. Photo by Lia ChangCorky Lee and Geoff Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi recently received the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son and dedicated it to his long time friends Corky Lee and Geoff Lee, who we lost in 2021 and 2022 respectively. They both appear in A Father’s Son.
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangKayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia Chang
9:30pm – 9:50pm Q & AProfessor Ava Chin moderated a Q & A with filmmaker J. T. Takagi (representing Director Christine Choy), filmmaker Curtis Chin, filmmaker Patrick Chen and Henry Chang.
J.T. Takagi, Prof. Ava Chin, Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia ChangPatrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangPatrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangPatrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia ChangThe AAIFF45 Closing night audience. Photo by Lia ChangThe AAIFF45 Closing night audience. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia ChangJ.T. Takagi, Prof. Ava Chin, Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen, Henry Chang, Kayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia ChangPatrick Chen and Kayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia ChangJohn Woo and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia ChangCarina Evangelista, Deputy Director, Global Artistic Programs and Deputy Director, Asia Society Museum and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangTzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangDavid Henry Hwang and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangDavid Henry Hwang, Rachel Cooper and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia ChangWing Lee and David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia ChangDavid Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia ChangJoey Orlando. Photo by Lia ChangAlex Chester-Iwata and Lia Chang. Photo by Joey OrlandoTzi Ma and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia ChangMei Chan, Tzi Ma and a guest. Photo by Lia ChangAdam Lim, Kayla Wong, Amy Chang, Yixin Cen. Photo by Lia ChangBrandon Lee, Yixin Cen, Bruna Lacerda and Jason Chew. Photo by Lia ChangYao King, Tzi Ma and a guest. Photo by Lia ChangShuhei Kinoshita, Tzi Ma, Phil Nee and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia ChangKaren Lee, Dave Chan and Lia Chang. Photo by Joey Orlando. Photo by Lia ChangShunei Kinoshita and Joey Orlando. Photo by Lia ChangFilmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia ChangKen Lin. Photo by Lia ChangKen Lin and Sean Lau. Photo by Lia ChangJason Chew, Patrick Chen and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia ChangHenry Chang and Karen Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
11:00pm The cast and creative team met up again at Asia Roma for our afterparty, courtesy of Tzi Ma.
The cast and crew at Asia Roma in New York Chinatown at the afterparty for A FATHER’S SON on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang .
Since its start, AAIFF has played an important role in screening innovative cinema, encouraging socially conscious storytelling, and honoring APA independent artists. About the Asian American International Film Festival The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema.” Organized by Asian CineVision, it’s the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.
About Asian CineVision Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.
Lia Chang
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Tzi Ma in a scene from A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma is currently shooting his third season of The CW’s “Kung Fu,” in Vancouver, but he was able to spend 48 hours in New York, where he attended the New York premiere of Patrick Chen’s Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels.
Tzi Ma, Shannon Dang and Kheng Hua Tan in Kung Fu, Photo: Kailey Schwerman/The CW
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan, Tigertale) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu, and Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng in A FATHER’S SON. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn BaeActors Ronny Chieng, Wai Ching Ho, Tzi Ma, Kathleen Kwan and Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Below are highlights of Tzi’s 48 hours.
August 12, 2022 – 10am – NB Wing Wong Restaurant in NY Chinatown.
What do you do when you land in New York in the morning? If you are Tzi Ma, you head to NB Wing Wong Restaurant in New York Chinatown to have a “Chinese Breakfast” with your cast and crew.
Jinny Chung, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Tzi Ma, Lia Chang, Gloria Sangirardi Jung, Joey Orlando, Shuhei Kinoshita, Jason Chew, Patrick Chen, Tim Liu at NB Wing Wong in New York on August 12, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
August 13 – 1:30pm – Flor De Mayo
We met up again on Saturday afternoon for a Peruvian/Chinese feast at Flor De Mayo to nourish and fortify ourselves prior to the closing night of the AAIFF45 at Asia Society.
Vic Huey, Henry Chang, Wing Lee, Jinny Chung, Tzi Ma and Lia Chang at Flor De Mayo in New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
5:00 pm – Asia Society for photos prior to the screening.
AAIFF45 volunteers and the welcoming committee of the closing night of the Film Festival at Asia Society New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
Our official A FATHER’S SON poster for cast and crew to sign. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma and John Woo, Executive Director, AsianCinevision. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang, Wing Lee, John Woo, Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang, Lia Chang, Wing Lee, John Woo, Tzi Ma. Photo by Jinny Chung.
Tzi Ma and John Woo. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tim Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
Dave Chan. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and Jinny Chung. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Adam Lim and his wife, Staci Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Dave Chan and Mark Liberman. Photo by Lia Chang
OCA members and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tim Liu and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Gloria Sangirardi Jung and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang, Tzi Ma, Wing Lee, Rachel Cooper. Photo by Carina Evangelista
1st row: Wing Lee, David Henry Hwang, Eva Hwang. 2nd Row: Jessica Hagedorn, Prof. Ava Chin and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Wai Ching Ho, Karen Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
A guest and Andrea Louie. Photo by Lia Chang
Joey Orlando, Tim Liu and Shuhei Kinoshita. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang and Tzi Ma. Photo by Karen Lee.
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Brandon Lee, Bruna Lacerda, Grayson Chin, Jason Chew, Ken Lin, Shuhei Kinoshita, Joey Orlando, Adam Lim, Yixin Cen, Tzi Ma, Karen Lee, Sean Lau, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Patrick Chen, Phil Nee, Tim Liu, Rozina Leong. Not Pictured: Dave Chan, Wai Ching Ho and Mark Liberman at the NY Premiere of A FATHER’S SON at AAIFF45 at Asia Society in New York on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang
7:15pm
The 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45), presented by Citi, and a production of Asian CineVision (ACV) in association with Asia Society, honored New York City’s Chinatown with nods to ACV’s roots in its “ChinatownBeat” programming on August 13.
Each film in this block was directed by an ACV alum filmmaker. In addition to A Father’s Son, the block included the New York premiere of Curtis Chin’s new documentary film, DEAR CORKY, which honors the legacy of ACV pioneer and community activist, Corky Lee who documented the APA community for over 50 years, and a screening of the groundbreaking documentary about AAPI activism in the 1970s, FROM SPIKES TO SPINDLES, by Christine Choy — one of ACV’s founders.
John Woo, Executive Director, Asian Cinevision. Photo by Lia Chang
Corky Lee and Geoff Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi recently received the 2022 Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for A Father’s Son and dedicated it to his long time friends Corky Lee and Geoff Lee, who we lost in 2021 and 2022 respectively. They both appear in A Father’s Son.
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Below is my second episode my BACKSTAGE PASS WITH LIA CHANG series, which will air in the final week of August on MNN.org.
Kayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia Chang
9:30pm – 9:50pm Q & A Professor Ava Chin moderated a Q & A with filmmaker J. T. Takagi (representing Director Christine Choy), filmmaker Curtis Chin, filmmaker Patrick Chen and Henry Chang.
J.T. Takagi, Prof. Ava Chin, Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
The AAIFF45 Closing night audience. Photo by Lia Chang
The AAIFF45 Closing night audience. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
J.T. Takagi, Prof. Ava Chin, Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen, Henry Chang, Kayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Kayla Wong, AAIFF45 Festival Director. Photo by Lia Chang
John Woo and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Carina Evangelista, Deputy Director, Global Artistic Programs and Deputy Director, Asia Society Museum and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
David Henry Hwang and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
David Henry Hwang, Rachel Cooper and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang
David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang
Joey Orlando. Photo by Lia Chang
Alex Chester-Iwata and Lia Chang. Photo by Joey Orlando
Tzi Ma and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Mei Chan, Tzi Ma and a guest. Photo by Lia Chang
Adam Lim, Kayla Wong, Amy Chang, Yixin Cen. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon Lee, Yixin Cen, Bruna Lacerda and Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
Yao King, Tzi Ma and a guest. Photo by Lia Chang
Shuhei Kinoshita, Tzi Ma, Phil Nee and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Karen Lee, Dave Chan and Lia Chang. Photo by Joey Orlando. Photo by Lia Chang
Shunei Kinoshita and Joey Orlando. Photo by Lia Chang
Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Ken Lin. Photo by Lia Chang
Ken Lin and Sean Lau. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Chew, Patrick Chen and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Karen Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
11:00pm The cast and creative team met up again at Asia Roma for our afterparty, courtesy of Tzi Ma.
The cast and crew at Asia Roma in New York Chinatown at the afterparty for A FATHER’S SON on August 13, 2022. Photo by Lia Chang .
Since its start, AAIFF has played an important role in screening innovative cinema, encouraging socially conscious storytelling, and honoring APA independent artists.
About the Asian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema.” Organized by Asian CineVision, it’s the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.
About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.
Lia Chang
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Congratulations to Tzi Ma on receiving the Canada China International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award for Patrick Chen’s short film, A FATHER’S SON, a Chinatown noir thriller, which tells the tale of Jack Yu, a Chinese American detective in the heart of New York Chinatown. The short film/pilot is based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, and also stars Ronny Chieng, Perry Yung and Kathleen Kwan.
Below is Tzi’s acceptance speech.
A Father’s Son will have its New York Premiere on Saturday, August 13 at 7:00pm at the 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45), presented by Citi, and a production of Asian CineVision (ACV) in association with Asia Society. The closing night program will honor New York City’s Chinatown with nods to ACV’s roots in its “ChinatownBeat” focus.
Each film in this block is directed by an ACV alum filmmaker. In addition to A FATHER’S SON, the block includes the New York premiere of Curtis Chin’s new documentary film, DEAR CORKY, which honors the legacy of ACV pioneer and community activist, Corky Lee who documented the APA community for over 50 years; and a screening of the groundbreaking documentary about AAPI activism in the 1970s, FROM SPIKES TO SPINDLES, by Christine Choy — one of ACV’s founders.
AAIFF45 will also honor Jean Tsien, a veteran documentary editor, executive producer, and story consultant who has been working in documentary film for 40 years. Her notable editing credits
include: the 2001 Academy Award nominated film, SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY; three Peabody Award-winning films: MALCOLM X: MAKE IT PLAIN, TRAVIS, and SOLAR MAMAS; and the 2020 Primetime EMMY winner for Outstanding Documentary, THE APOLLO. Most recently, she was editor and producer of AAIFF45’s Opening Night film, FREE CHOL SOO LEE, and producer of HIDDEN LETTERS, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. She is also a member of American Cinema Editors and a Governor of the Documentary Branch of the Academy. For her courageous, visionary work, she is this year’s recipient of The Asian American Media Award.
Since its start, AAIFF has played an important role in screening innovative cinema, encouraging socially conscious storytelling, and honoring APA independent artists. Honoring the Festival’s 45th Anniversary, AAIFF45 features special presentation retrospective screenings with Third World Newsreel of THE CHINATOWN FILES, HERE TO STAY, and FRECKLED RICE, and co-presents an outdoor screening of MAN PUSH CART on August 11 with the Museum of the City of New York.
Rounding out the special presentations is the “Selective Memory Has No Bounds: Yes, Martial Law Did Actually Happen” program, guest-curated by visual and media artist, educator, and curator
Angel Velasco Shaw. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law and the program includes two documentary films to educate
and remind global citizens of this dark era in Philippine history.
As a longtime collaborator of Asian CineVision (ACV), Shaw reflects on her association with ACV: “AAIFF played a big role in raising my consciousness about racial and ethnic-based identity issues. Self-identification as an Asian American artist, filmmaker, and cultural activist became the greatest source of power from which I create from. Over the 37 years of working with ACV, AAIFF has continued to nurture and showcase talent from diverse Asian American
independent filmmakers, actors, and producers generation after generation.”
The closing screening will take place at the Asia Society and Museum, after which there will be a filmmaker Q&A and reception. Please join us as we humbly honor those who built our Asian American community and carry on their legacy.
Proceeds from this event will be used to cover festival costs, such as venue rental and production costs. We are a media arts non-profit still feeling the effects of the past two years with many others in the arts community. We so appreciate your generosity as we continue making our way through this new world.
*We request that all Festival goers wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during screenings and when not actively eating and drinking. For more information, please take a look at the AAIFF45 Community Agreement.*
Below is my BTS coverage of A FATHER’S SON
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, and Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu.
Wai Ching Ho, Ronny Chieng, Tzi Ma, Madelyn Bae and Kathleen Kwan. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li, Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Tim Liu, Adam Monley, Garth Kravits, Ronny Chieng, Christopher Randolph, Jermaine Smith, Tony Edgerton and P.J. Max. Photo by Lia Chang
Sean Lau, Joey Michael Orlando and Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
Wai Ching Ho. Photo by Lia Chang
Assistant Camera operator Cindy Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Director Chen Xi Hao with his camera crew. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Kathleen Kwan. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Ronny Chieng on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma and Henry Chang on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Corky Lee and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Yixin Cen (assistant director), Vera Chow (costume designer) and actor Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Corky Lee, Yixin Cen, Vera Chow, Tzi Ma and Belen Orsini. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma, Lia Chang, Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Areo Keller, Derek Kastner and Lia Chang
“A Father’s Son” cast and crew on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Patrick Chen
Thank you Hop Kee (21 Mott St.) and the Lee family for supporting and feeding the production. (L-R) Corky Lee, Ronny Chieng, Mr. Lee (owner), Peter Lee (manager), Tzi Ma, Henry Chang, Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng, Chen Xi Hao and Ken Lin. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew, Ken Lin. Photo by Lia Chang
Actor/Filmmaker/Singer Ken Lin from Notorious MSG. Photo by Lia Chang
Yixen Cen, Chen Xi Hao, Ken Lin, Joseph Michael Orlando and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk and Michael Tow. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael Tow and Henry Yuk. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Shing Ka. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng, Henry Yuk and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk. Photo by Lia Chang
Justice vs Corruption: Joey Orlando, Ronny Chieng, Ken Lin, Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng and Michael Tow. Photo by Lia Chang
Simon Song and Joseph M. Orlando with Justin Onne. Photo by Lia Chang
Production Designer Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Chen Xi Hao, Shing Ka, Henry Chang and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Simon Song and Joseph Michael Orlando. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael Tow, Joseph M. Orlando, Simon Song, Lia Chang, Ken Lin and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
Caption: A Father’s Son – Day 3 (L-R) Vera Chow, Yixin Cen, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Alvin Tsang, Cindy Chen, Glenda Jinks, Justine Onné, Arseniy Grobovnikov, Joey Orlando, Michael Tow, Melody Wong, Jason Chew, Dave Chan, Ronny Chieng, Partick Chen, Ken Lin, Simon Song, Shing Ka, Belen Orsini. Photo by Lia Chang
Costume Designer Vera Chow and Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang, Perry Yung, Ronnh Chieng and Celia Au. Photo by Lia Chang
Director Chen Xi Hao, Vera Chow, Perry Yung, Ronny Chieng and Celia Au. Photo by Lia Chang
Grayson Chin, Ronny Chieng and Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Christopher Randolph. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng and Christopher Randolph. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Jinny Chung (set desser) with Wing Lee (production designer). Photo by Lia Chang
Garth Kravits and Adam Monley. Photo by Lia Chang
Rozina Leong and P.J. Max. Photo by Lia Chang
Monoj Gurung (gaffer) and Jason H. Kim (key grip). Photo by Lia Chang
Steven He and Tim Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
On location at Cpc Central in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Tim Liu and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Chen Xi Hao, Ronny Chieng and Adam Lim. Photo by Lia Chang
Visitors to the set- John Xu, Andrew J. Fung, Adam J. Lim, Ronny Chieng and David B. Fung. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew is lock and steady with his crew. (L-R) Bruna Lacerda, Brandon Lee, Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
70s Throwback- Steven He, Wei Cong Zhou (Lucky), Norman Lam, Ian Woo (Jack Yu), Patrick Chen, John Bai. Photo by Lia Chang
Assistant Director Yixin Cen takes control. (L-R) Norman Lam, John Bai, Steven He, Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo, Altarius Shu, Grayson Chin, Yixin Cen. Photo by Lia Chang
Garth Kravits and Adam Lim. Photo by Lia Chang
Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo and Altarius Shu. Photo by Lia Chang
Introducing Wah Ying (70s) and Black Dragons (90s) gangs: (L-R) Norman Lam, Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo, Altarius Shu, Steven He, Sean Lau, John Bai. Joey Orlando, Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang and Henry Chang
Karen Tsen Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng as Detective Jack Yu. Photo by Lia Chang
PO Dennis Wong (Year Of The Dog) does crowd control (L-R) Tim Liu. Evan Lam, Antong Wong, Jack Lei, Henry Chang, Karen Tsen Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Cathy Salvodon and Sean Lau. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Ronny Chieng and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
The Detective Jack Yu team is very grateful for the community support including Mei Chan of Asia Roma, NB Wing Wong and the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Congratulations Ronny Chieng on your Netflix special on the set of “A Father’s Son.” Photo by Lia Chang
Geoff Lee, Scott Chops Jung, Henry Chang and Victor Huey. Photo by Lia Chang
About the Asian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema.” Organized by Asian CineVision, it’s the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.
About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.
Films submitted and screened at the festival are eligible to participate in our National Tour program, bringing Asian diaspora stories to broader audiences across North America through a
rental service for cultural and educational institutions.
Thank You
The 45th Asian American International Film Festival is made possible with support from Citi, LIFEWTR, Asia Society, Mayor’s Office of Media And Entertainment, Third World Newsreel, The
Corky Lee Photographic Justice Exhibit Organizing Committee, OCA, SAG-AFTRA, Tamiment-Wagner Collections, NYU Special Collections, Final Draft, Chowbus, NYU A/P/A, and the many friends of ACV.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
The 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45),
presented by Citi, and a production of Asian CineVision (ACV) in association with Asia Society, will honor New York City’s Chinatown with nods to ACV’s roots in its “ChinatownBeat” programming on Saturday, August 13 at 7:00p.m.
Each film in this block is directed by an ACV alum filmmaker. The block includes the New York premiere of Curtis Chin’s new documentary film, DEAR CORKY, which honors the legacy of ACV pioneer and community activist, Corky Lee who documented the APA community for over 50 years; the New York premiere of Patrick Chen’s short film, A FATHER’S SON, tells the tale of Jack Yu, a Chinese American detective in the heart of New York Chinatown starring Tzi Ma, Ronny Chieng, Perry Yung and Kathleen Kwan; and a screening of the groundbreaking documentary about AAPI activism in the 1970s, FROM SPIKES TO SPINDLES, by Christine Choy — one of ACV’s founders.
AAIFF45 will also honor Jean Tsien, a veteran documentary editor, executive producer, and story consultant who has been working in documentary film for 40 years. Her notable editing credits
include: the 2001 Academy Award nominated film, SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY; three Peabody Award-winning films: MALCOLM X: MAKE IT PLAIN, TRAVIS, and SOLAR MAMAS; and the 2020 Primetime EMMY winner for Outstanding Documentary, THE APOLLO. Most recently, she was editor and producer of AAIFF45’s Opening Night film, FREE CHOL SOO LEE, and producer of HIDDEN LETTERS, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. She is also a member of American Cinema Editors and a Governor of the Documentary Branch of the Academy. For her courageous, visionary work, she is this year’s recipient of The Asian American Media Award.
Since its start, AAIFF has played an important role in screening innovative cinema, encouraging socially conscious storytelling, and honoring APA independent artists. Honoring the Festival’s 45th Anniversary, AAIFF45 features special presentation retrospective screenings with Third World Newsreel of THE CHINATOWN FILES, HERE TO STAY, and FRECKLED RICE, and co-presents an outdoor screening of MAN PUSH CART on August 11 with the Museum of the City of New York.
Rounding out the special presentations is the “Selective Memory Has No Bounds: Yes, Martial Law Did Actually Happen” program, guest-curated by visual and media artist, educator, and curator
Angel Velasco Shaw. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law and the program includes two documentary films to educate
and remind global citizens of this dark era in Philippine history.
As a longtime collaborator of Asian CineVision (ACV), Shaw reflects on her association with ACV: “AAIFF played a big role in raising my consciousness about racial and ethnic-based identity issues. Self-identification as an Asian American artist, filmmaker, and cultural activist became the greatest source of power from which I create from. Over the 37 years of working with ACV, AAIFF has continued to nurture and showcase talent from diverse Asian American
independent filmmakers, actors, and producers generation after generation.”
The closing screening will take place at the Asia Society and Museum, after which there will be a filmmaker Q&A and reception. Please join us as we humbly honor those who built our Asian American community and carry on their legacy.
Proceeds from this event will be used to cover festival costs, such as venue rental and production costs. We are a media arts non-profit still feeling the effects of the past two years with many others in the arts community. We so appreciate your generosity as we continue making our way through this new world.
*We request that all Festival goers wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during screenings and when not actively eating and drinking. For more information, please take a look at the AAIFF45 Community Agreement.*
Below is my BTS coverage of A FATHER’S SON
Red Rope Productions presents the Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on characters from Henry Chang’s 90’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, directed by Patrick Chen.
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
A Father’s Son stars Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan) as Krang Li, Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, “The Daily Show,” Netflix’s “Asian Comedian Destroys America”) as Detective Jack Yu, and Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” “Boogie”) as Jack’s father, Wang Kei Yu.
Wai Ching Ho, Ronny Chieng, Tzi Ma, Madelyn Bae and Kathleen Kwan. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast also features Kathleen Kwan as Lai Jean Li, Christopher Randolph as Captain Salvatore Marino, Wai Ching Ho as Soo Hing Li, Cathy Salvodon as Crystal Jones, Adam Lim as Billy Bo, Tim Liu as Officer Dennis Wong.
Perry Yung and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu – torn between his identity of his community and the NYPD, Detective Jack Yu delivers news of a son’s murder to the victim’s parents at the height of a gang turf war in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Tim Liu, Adam Monley, Garth Kravits, Ronny Chieng, Christopher Randolph, Jermaine Smith, Tony Edgerton and P.J. Max. Photo by Lia Chang
Sean Lau, Joey Michael Orlando and Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Credits for teaser trailer include Patricia Ma (Editor), Phil Choe (Colorist), William Hsieh (Sound Designer), David Bettencourt (Graphics Designer), Mike J. Kelly (Music) and Film Composer CHOPSmusic.
Wai Ching Ho. Photo by Lia Chang
Assistant Camera operator Cindy Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Director Chen Xi Hao with his camera crew. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Madelyn Bae. Photo by Lia Chang
Kathleen Kwan. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen and Ronny Chieng on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma and Henry Chang on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Corky Lee and Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Yixin Cen (assistant director), Vera Chow (costume designer) and actor Tzi Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
Corky Lee, Yixin Cen, Vera Chow, Tzi Ma and Belen Orsini. Photo by Lia Chang
Tzi Ma, Lia Chang, Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Areo Keller, Derek Kastner and Lia Chang
“A Father’s Son” cast and crew on location at Hop Kee in New York Chinatown. Photo by Patrick Chen
Thank you Hop Kee (21 Mott St.) and the Lee family for supporting and feeding the production. (L-R) Corky Lee, Ronny Chieng, Mr. Lee (owner), Peter Lee (manager), Tzi Ma, Henry Chang, Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng, Chen Xi Hao and Ken Lin. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew, Ken Lin. Photo by Lia Chang
Actor/Filmmaker/Singer Ken Lin from Notorious MSG. Photo by Lia Chang
Yixen Cen, Chen Xi Hao, Ken Lin, Joseph Michael Orlando and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk and Michael Tow. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael Tow and Henry Yuk. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang and Shing Ka. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng, Henry Yuk and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Yuk. Photo by Lia Chang
Justice vs Corruption: Joey Orlando, Ronny Chieng, Ken Lin, Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng and Michael Tow. Photo by Lia Chang
Simon Song and Joseph M. Orlando with Justin Onne. Photo by Lia Chang
Production Designer Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Chen Xi Hao, Shing Ka, Henry Chang and Wing Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Simon Song and Joseph Michael Orlando. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael Tow, Joseph M. Orlando, Simon Song, Lia Chang, Ken Lin and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
Caption: A Father’s Son – Day 3 (L-R) Vera Chow, Yixin Cen, Wing Lee, Henry Chang, Alvin Tsang, Cindy Chen, Glenda Jinks, Justine Onné, Arseniy Grobovnikov, Joey Orlando, Michael Tow, Melody Wong, Jason Chew, Dave Chan, Ronny Chieng, Partick Chen, Ken Lin, Simon Song, Shing Ka, Belen Orsini. Photo by Lia Chang
Costume Designer Vera Chow and Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Henry Chang, Perry Yung, Ronnh Chieng and Celia Au. Photo by Lia Chang
Director Chen Xi Hao, Vera Chow, Perry Yung, Ronny Chieng and Celia Au. Photo by Lia Chang
Grayson Chin, Ronny Chieng and Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Christopher Randolph. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng and Christopher Randolph. Photo by Lia Chang
Wing Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Jinny Chung (set desser) with Wing Lee (production designer). Photo by Lia Chang
Garth Kravits and Adam Monley. Photo by Lia Chang
Rozina Leong and P.J. Max. Photo by Lia Chang
Monoj Gurung (gaffer) and Jason H. Kim (key grip). Photo by Lia Chang
Steven He and Tim Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
On location at Cpc Central in New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
Tim Liu and Ronny Chieng. Photo by Lia Chang
Chen Xi Hao, Ronny Chieng and Adam Lim. Photo by Lia Chang
Visitors to the set- John Xu, Andrew J. Fung, Adam J. Lim, Ronny Chieng and David B. Fung. Photo by Lia Chang
Cinematographer Jason Chew is lock and steady with his crew. (L-R) Bruna Lacerda, Brandon Lee, Jason Chew. Photo by Lia Chang
70s Throwback- Steven He, Wei Cong Zhou (Lucky), Norman Lam, Ian Woo (Jack Yu), Patrick Chen, John Bai. Photo by Lia Chang
Assistant Director Yixin Cen takes control. (L-R) Norman Lam, John Bai, Steven He, Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo, Altarius Shu, Grayson Chin, Yixin Cen. Photo by Lia Chang
Garth Kravits and Adam Lim. Photo by Lia Chang
Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo and Altarius Shu. Photo by Lia Chang
Introducing Wah Ying (70s) and Black Dragons (90s) gangs: (L-R) Norman Lam, Wei Cong Zhou, Ian Woo, Altarius Shu, Steven He, Sean Lau, John Bai. Joey Orlando, Simon Song. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang and Henry Chang
Karen Tsen Lee and Henry Chang. Photo by Lia Chang
Ronny Chieng as Detective Jack Yu. Photo by Lia Chang
PO Dennis Wong (Year Of The Dog) does crowd control (L-R) Tim Liu. Evan Lam, Antong Wong, Jack Lei, Henry Chang, Karen Tsen Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Cathy Salvodon and Sean Lau. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team includes music by Scott Chops Jung, Cinematography by Jason Chew, Film Editing by Xiaoya Ma, Production Design by Wing Lee, Costume Design by Vera Chow, Makeup Artists Glenda Remo Jinks and Jiamin Zhou, Belén Orsini (1st Assistant Director), Yixin Cen (2nd Assistant Director), Set Dresser Jinny Chung, Assistant Art Directors Melody Wong and Hu Yawen, Boom Operator and Sound Mixer Sebastian Hoist, Sound Designer/Supervisor William Hsieh, Fight Choreographer Lang Yip, Lia Chang (Still Photographer), Cindy Chen (1st Assistant Camera), Derrick Chen (2nd Assistant Camera), Arseniy Grobovnikov (Gaffer), Manoj Gurung (Gaffer), Brittany Jeffrey (Key Grip), Jason H. Kim (Key Grip), Bruna Lacerda (1st Assistant Camera), Brandon Lee (2nd Assistant Camera), Justine Onne (Key Grip), Samon (Grip), Chris Ungco (Steadicam Operator), Shannon Ko (Script Supervisor), David Bettencourt (Campaign Manager), Joe Chan (Dialect Coach), Grayson Chin (Key Production Assistant) and Oliver Chiu (Production Assistant).
Ronny Chieng and Chen Xi Hao. Photo by Lia Chang
New York Chinatown. Photo by Lia Chang
The Detective Jack Yu team is very grateful for the community support including Mei Chan of Asia Roma, NB Wing Wong and the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Congratulations Ronny Chieng on your Netflix special on the set of “A Father’s Son.” Photo by Lia Chang
Geoff Lee, Scott Chops Jung, Henry Chang and Victor Huey. Photo by Lia Chang
About the Asian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema.” Organized by Asian CineVision, it’s the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.
About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.
Films submitted and screened at the festival are eligible to participate in our National Tour program, bringing Asian diaspora stories to broader audiences across North America through a
rental service for cultural and educational institutions.
Thank You
The 45th Asian American International Film Festival is made possible with support from Citi, LIFEWTR, Asia Society, Mayor’s Office of Media And Entertainment, Third World Newsreel, The
Corky Lee Photographic Justice Exhibit Organizing Committee, OCA, SAG-AFTRA, Tamiment-Wagner Collections, NYU Special Collections, Final Draft, Chowbus, NYU A/P/A, and the many friends of ACV.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
The film series both critiques and celebrates Hollywood’s depictions of the Chinese, and presents groundbreaking Chinese American artists who navigated industry challenges from the beginning of film history to now.
On the opening weekend, I flew to LA to celebrate the 15th anniversary since the release of Arthur Dong’s Hollywood Chinese documentary, and it was screened as the kick-off of the 27-film series.
Chushingura – 47 Ronin is based on one of the most enduring stories in Japan. Portraying real events that took place in 1702-1703 during Japan’s Shogun-led Edo period, this sprawling story of honor, betrayal, clan loyalty, sacrifice, justice, and revenge has been told and retold in hundreds of ways in Japanese books, plays, movies, television dramas, and animated series. This new stage adaptation is performed mainly in Japanese with some English and supertitles translation throughout.
The Far Country features Ben Chase (Mondo Tragic), Jinn S. Kim (Race, Religion & Politics), Whit K. Lee (Assassins), Christopher Liam Moore (All The Way), Shannon Tyo (The Chinese Lady), Amy Kim Waschke (Off-Broadway debut), and Eric Yang (Legacy).
Phil Wong
November 4, 2022 at 7:15pm 
VOD 10/28-11/6
October 21, 2022 at 8:30pm 
October 26, 2022 at 4pm
Each film in this block was directed by an ACV alum filmmaker. In addition to A Father’s Son, the block included the New York premiere of Curtis Chin’s new documentary film, 
Bev's Girl Films 