Larissa Lam and Baldwin Chiu, will debut their 76-minute documentary Far East Deep South about Chinese families in the Mississippi Delta at the 30th Annual Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival. Cinequest runs March 3-15, 2020 and was previously named #1 film festival by USA Today. Named one of the “top picks” to see at Cinequest in the San Francisco Examiner, there will be three opportunities for festival goers to watch Far East Deep South. On Saturday, March 7th at 6:20pm and Sunday, March 8th at 6:05pm, the film will show at the Century 20 Redwood City located at 825 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063. Then, on Saturday, March 14th at 4:00pm, the film will screen at The Hammer Theatre located at 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113. The screenings will include Q&A with the film’s director, Larissa Lam and producer, Baldwin Chiu. Tickets are on sale now at http://cinequest.fareastdeepsouth.com.
With its cinéma vérité style, Far East Deep South presents a very personal and unique perspective on immigration, race, and American identity. The film follows Baldwin Chiu and his father, Charles, on a surprising trip from California to Mississippi in search of their lost family history. Along the way, they meet a diverse group of local residents and historians, who shed light on the racially complex history of the early Chinese in the segregated South. Their emotional journey also leads them to discover how exclusionary immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 separated their family for generations.
Far East Deep South expands the story of Baldwin Chiu’s family search for their roots, first introduced in the award-winning documentary short film, Finding Cleveland (2015). Emmy award-winning composer, Nathan Wang created the original score for Far East Deep South. Wang’s long list of credits include the PBS documentary, The Legend of Pancho Barnes, documentaries executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the recent Paramount Pictures hit, Playing With Fire, Kung Fu Panda 3, and Jackie Chan’s new film, Vanguard. Far East Deep South also features interviews with historians and civic leaders such as Stanford professor Gordon Chang, and U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who provide greater historical context to the Chiu family’s discoveries.
Even though the film focuses on the story of the Chinese in the early to mid-1900s, many of the issues facing immigrants and Asians still exist today.
Producer, Baldwin Chiu, who was born in San Francisco and previously worked in Silicon Valley as a mechanical engineer explains, “All my life, I’ve struggled with my identity and wrestled with whether I was American enough or Chinese enough. Recently, I encountered different people making racist comments and assumptions about me just based on how I look. After finding out the truth about how deep my roots run in this country, I now have a stronger sense of belonging and pride as an American.”
“Most of the history we learn in school about Asians in America is limited to Chinese railroad workers or Japanese internment camps. Yet, we all learn about segregation but rarely hear about how Asians and other people of color were also impacted by Jim Crow laws. We hope our film helps change how American history is told so that it paints a more accurate and inclusive picture,” declares director, Larissa Lam.
Event information:
CINEQUEST FILM & CREATIVITY FESTIVAL
“Far East Deep South” Screening Dates
Saturday, March 7th at 6:20pm
Century 20 Redwood City
825 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Sunday, March 8th at 6:05pm
Century 20 Redwood City
825 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Saturday, March 14th at 4:00pm
Hammer Theatre
101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
For more information about Cinequest: Cinequest.org
Find out more about Far East Deep South at fareastdeepsouth.com
Social Media: Facebook & Instagram @fareastdeepsouth Twitter @fareastdeepso
Watch the Trailer