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:

It is never too late to fall in love for the first time.

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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 [United States]

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

Alice Wu:  The flight announcer's voice in the airport scene and the woman eating an apple on the bus.

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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

Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: [in Mandarin] No one wants to see a 50-year-old Chinese woman look sexy.
Wil: Ma, you're only 48.
[in Mandarin]
Wil: Connie Chung's sexy, and she must be nearly 60.
Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: Her show was cancelled.

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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

Exceptionally well done movie

While this movie has a Chinesse-American lesbian theme, it goes under the same category of "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding": you don't need to be one to REALLY, REALLY like it! The writing is extremely humorous and intelligent. It reminded me of the "Kissing Jessica Stein movie" in terms of the wit that the writer (who also happens to be the director) brings forth in the script. I was not sure what to expect from a movie that I was seeing at a film festival. I was pleasantly and extremely surprised! The actors were quite believable in their roles and did a fine job. The production quality of the movie was quite noticeable from the start of the movie and was very good and enjoyable to watch. The lead characters are likable and sweet, while not Pollyannish. The story itself is also full of scenarios that most people can relate to regardless of their sexual orientation or race. So, if you're looking for a fun time, out go see this movie and enjoy!