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, 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.
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 Chen Xi Hao 陳錫豪.
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
Check out my #bts photos from our winter shoot and the new teaser trailer below.
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
Perry Yung, Lia Chang, Celia Au, Chen Xi Hao, Yixin Cen, Yao King, Vera Chow, Shuhei Kinoshita, Joseph M. Orlando. Photo by Garth Kravits
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.
Director Chen Xi Hao and Crime Mystery author Henry Chang are holding a Kickstarter alternative meet and greet fundraiser for their film campaign for A Father’s Son, on Monday, October 14 at Asia Roma, 40 Mulberry Street in New York Chinatown from 6:00PM – 9:00PM.
Due to navigational glitches on the kickstarter campaign for A Father’s Son, this fundraising party is an opportunity to contribute in person via cash/check, make a pledge and choose your rewards. All proceeds will be deposited to the kickstarter campaign.
Tzi Ma and Perry Yung
Chinatown noir thriller A Father’s Son, a short film/pilot based on the characters from Henry Chang’s NYPD Detective Jack Yu crime series novels, will star Tzi Ma (Rush Hour, The Farewell, Mulan) and Perry Yung (“The Knick,” “Warrior,” Boogie) . Set in the early ’90s when local street gangs terrorized Manhattan’s Chinatown, the story centers on Detective Jack Yu investigating the murder of a teenage boy involved in a turf war. Amidst the broad distrust and racial divide between the Chinatown community and NYPD, our lone lawman searches for a nondescript immigrant family to deliver a shattering message that also brings forth his own conflicted relationship with Jack’s father.
Director’s Statement
“Since 2006, Henry Chang’s posters of his crime drama book series, Chinatown Beat, Year of The Dog, Red Jade, and Death Money were displayed at my two favorite NYC Chinatown restaurants: 69 Bayard and Wo Hop City. The posters caught my attention for years until I purchased his first book titled Chinatown Beat.
After reading the first installment, I became enamored with the fictional character Jack Yu, a NYPD Detective torn between justice and the injustice to his community. He was a born-and-bred New Yorker with a New Yawk accent trying to do good. It was the first time reading about a Chinese-American protagonist who wasn’t an American stereotype. Jack wasn’t a cook, waiter, deliveryman, an herbalist, railroad worker, opioid dealer, martial artist, monk or Manchu.
Positive Asian-American role models were invisible unless it was Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, or another martial art figure. Only little known-actor Dennis Gong Dun came close portraying a Chinese-American protagonist in Year of the Dragon as Herbert Kwong, and as Wang Chi in Big Trouble in Little China. But that was only around 1980s.
Today, thanks to organizations like Gold House and box-office hits like Crazy Rich Asians, there’s a genuine opportunity for good stories with tangible Asian-American characters. It’s been 13 years since the release of Chinatown Beat and I felt this was the right time to bring Jack Yu to light in our story, A Father’s Son.
I grew up watching Hong Kong ’90s films. The three films I wrote and directed, Love Express, Confucius Plaza, and The Last Tip were inspired by Hong Kong’s cinematic style and natural realism — which have been showcased at the Museum of Chinese in America and Comcast’s Xfinity Lunar New Year collection.
With A Father’s Son, I want to direct it as a film noir with reference to Johnnie To’s PTU (2003) and Election (2005). I want to exhibit the grittiness of New York’s Chinatown with the Cantonese essence that will simulate 1994.”
Sentiments from Crime Mystery Author and Executive Producer Henry Chang “Collaborating with friends can be a nightmare fraught with personality clashes, creative differences, conflicting agendas, etc. THIS collaboration fortunately is fully compatible. Filmmaker Patrick Chen (Love Express, Underneath The Grey, The Last Tip) is a smooth operator with a hand-picked team who’s everything media-savvy that I’m NOT. I am old-school clinging onto the edge of social media, Facebook -LOL.
I’ll handle the books end of the endeavor though, and do a video and print promotions, sure! Now, it’s super cool to have my O.G. homie Tzi Ma back in da ‘hood where he shines. I’m also keen to have Perry Yung on board, supporting us as fiercely as we supported him in Chinatown, New York City. Not to forget familiar faces of Alvin Tsang, Adam Lim, Shannon Ko and David Bettencourt who helped made our Kickstarter campaign video cool and copacetic. So far it’s a Dream Team…
Long overdue with REPRESENTATION with the Crazy Rich Asians success, is upon us. It’s hot times now and movies and platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon are allegedly searching for diverse creative content. If so, the trickle-down hasn’t reached US yet so we’re very grateful for homegrown, and Chinatown, and American-Chinese support, who know that we are determined to tell OUR stories, by any means necessary. REPRESENT!! Because we got history here…
Most of all we love our supporters; the ones who make it work. Your faithful contributions to our campaign enable us. In the latest wave of post Crazy Rich Asians’ Gold Openings, it’s great to see people of color to come together and fill theater seats for movies like The Farewell and Lucky Grandma or Ms. Purple, but it’s especially important to support American-Asian stories that are underrepresented and unfunded, so that OUR stories can see the light of day. Our Backers (you) make this possible, from inception to the Screen. WE are nothing but dreamers without YOU!”
@DetectiveJackYuOfficial
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits. Photo by 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 filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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 