Hollywood Chinese
credits:
Director: Arthur DongProducer: Arthur Dong
Writer: Arthur Dong
World Premiere
USA 2007 | 90 mins | HDCAM
IN PERSON (at select screenings): Arthur Dong, Tsai Chin
Over the past three decades, Arthur Dong has made many of the most important and pioneering documentaries in American cinema. His films have also played essential roles in the Festival’s history—from the Academy Award-nominated short SEWING WOMAN presented at the first Festival in 1982, to his ground-breaking COMING OUT UNDER FIRE, screened as Closing Night in 1996. On our 25th anniversary the Festival is honored to present the world premiere of Dong’s new documentary, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE, a landmark exploration of Chinese American film history.
A voyage through almost a century of cinematic delights, intrigues and treasures, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE weaves together a wondrous portrait of the actors, directors and personalities who have defined American filmmaking from the silent era to the current new wave of Asian American cinema. Dong explores the long-untold stories behind the faces who have graced the silver screen, from Anna May Wong to Nancy Kwan, James Hong to B.D. Wong, as well as those who have made their mark behind the camera, from famed cinematographer James Wong Howe to directors Ang Lee and Justin Lin. What emerges is a rich and complicated tapestry, one marked by unforgettable performances and groundbreaking films, but also by a tangled history of race and representation.
Featuring scores of rare and memorable film clips, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE also uncovers cinematic history. During the film’s production, Dong incredibly re-discovered two reels (approximately 35 minutes) of what is now acknowledged as the earliest Asian American film ever made, 1916’s CURSE OF QUON GWON, directed by Oakland filmmaker Marion Wong. This screening will mark the first time that audiences will see Wong’s landmark film. (The entire existing film will screen on March 24)
HOLLYWOOD CHINESE stands as one of the finest achievements of Dong’s storied career, a film that masterfully tells a history close to his own heart, and confirms him as an essential part of it as well.
—Chi-hui Yang
CAAM honors the work of Re:New Media (formerly National Video Resources) on its 20th anniversary, for its continued support of Arthur Dong and many other Asian American filmmakers.
Hollywood Chinese was funded by CAAM.
