Saving Face (2004)

A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.

Director:

Alice Wu

Writer:

Alice Wu

Stars:

Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen, Lynn Chen

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Krusiec	...	Wilhelmina 'Wil' Pang
Joan Chen	...	Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma
Lynn Chen	...	Vivian Shing
Jin Wang	...	Wai Gung - Grandpa
Guang Lan Koh	...	Wai Po - Grandma
Jessica Hecht	...	Randi - Hospital Co-Worker
Ato Essandoh	...	Jay - Neighbor
David Shih	...	Norman
Brian Yang	...	Little Yu
Nathanel Geng	...	Stimson Cho
Mao Zhao	...	Old Yu
Louyong Wong	...	Dr. Shing
Clare Sum	...	Mrs. Wong
Qian Luo	...	Mrs. Shing
Richard Chang	...	Stephen

Storyline

In Manhattan, the brilliant Chinese-American lesbian surgeon Wil is surprised by the arrival of her forty-eight year old widow mother to her apartment. Ma was banished from Flushing, Queens, when her father discovered that she was pregnant. The presence of Ma affects the personal life of Wil, who is in love with the daughter of her boss at the hospital, the dancer Vivian Shing. Once her grandfather has promised that her mother would only return to Flushing remarried or proving that it was an immaculate conception, Wil tries to find a Chinese bachelor to marry Ma.

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Plot Keywords:

chinese american | surgeon | lesbian | love | single mother | 

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Taglines:

A romantic comedy about right, wrong and everything in between.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Classics [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin Shanghainese

Release Date:

9 September 2005 (Turkey)

Also Known As:

Gynaikeies ypotheseis!

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$99,079 (USA) (27 May 2005)

Gross:

$1,186,323 (USA) (23 September 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Destination Films, Forensic Films, GreeneStreet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2001, this script won the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) screenwriting award. It was inspired by Alice Wu's own experiences coming out as a gay woman. That win led to the script being produced.

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Goofs

Wil consistently wears her hair in a tightly pulled back ponytail, but shortly after her mother moves in she goes to visit her grandfather wearing an army T shirt. While she's adjusting the TV antenna, her hair is uncharacteristically puffed up with no explanation. All scenes before and after show her hair in the tight ponytail. Quite a bit later, there is a scene where Wil's mom sends her to the beauty shop to find out gossip. It's there that Wil is wearing the same army T shirt and getting her hair rolled up in big curls - the end result of which would be puffed hair!

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Quotes

Wil: How did you find out she was...?
Wai Po - Grandma: The receptionist at the Manhattan clinic is married to one of Grandpa's former students.
Wil: [in English] One billion Chinese people, two degrees of separation.

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Connections

Featured in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)

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Soundtracks

"MAR AZUL"
Written by Francis Hime and João Victorio
Performed by Rosalia de Souza
Published by João Victorio Pareto Maciel and Vermelha Ed. Musicais
Administered by Nossamusica Ed. Musicais
Courtesy of Leeds Music/Avatar Records, Inc.
Under License from Schema

User Reviews

Two women fall in love. They have to deal with cultural and family and professional issues.

This first time director/author has made a movie that will have universal appeal. Although the main part of the plot centers on two Chinese women who are successful professionals and are love with each other, the movie is not "about" Chinese people or "about" lesbians. The story concerns how two interesting people deal with cultural taboos, with their places in the culture and in their families, and with the demands of their respective careers (surgeon and ballerina). But, even with this serious backdrop, the story is told with humor; there are more laughs and smiles than tears. When you see the movie, note how beautifully the romance between these protagonists develops.

It's likely that this movie will have limited distribution, at least at the the beginning. Look for it. You will be glad you did.