In the Shadow of the Pines + Chan is Missing
This cycle showcases the cinematic works of filmmakers from East Asian diasporas, exploring North American identity in their films.
Winner of the Best Experimental/Independent Film Award, 1982 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
In the Shadow of the Pines is an animated short documentary about a difficult father-daughter relationship. Drawing on childhood memories, Anne Koizumi, the filmmaker, explores her upbringing with her Japanese immigrant dad, who was also the janitor at the elementary school she attended.
Jo, a cab driver based in San Francisco's Chinatown, and his nephew Steve invest their savings through Chan, a shady guy who disappears with their money. A succession of comic characters and situations follows as they try to track down the thief.
Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang is a Hong Kong-American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His father named him after his favourite movie star, John Wayne. Considered a pioneer of Asian-American cinema, he was one of the first Chinese-American filmmakers to gain a major foothold in Hollywood. His films, often independently produced, deal with issues of contemporary Asian-American culture and domestic life. His best known works include Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985), Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989), The Joy Luck Club (1993), Chinese Box (1997), and A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (2007). Other films include the Harvey Keitel and William Hurt–starring comedy Smoke (1995), the family film Because of Winn-Dixie (2005), the romantic comedies Maid in Manhattan (2002) and Last Holiday (2006), as well as the controversial erotic drama The Center of the World (2001). He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Bodil Award, a Silver Bear and two Golden Shells. In 2016, he won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. His films Chan is Missing (1982) and The Joy Luck Club have been added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in the United States.
