Chan Is Missing (1982)

Two cab drivers search San Francisco's Chinatown for the mysterious Chan, who disappeared with their $4000.

Director:

Wayne Wang

Writers:

Isaac Cronin, Wayne Wang

Stars:

Wood Moy, Marc Hayashi, Laureen Chew

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wood Moy	...	Jo
Marc Hayashi	...	Steve
Laureen Chew	...	Amy
Peter Wang	...	Henry the Cook
Presco Tabios	...	Presco
Frankie Alarcon	...	Frankie
Judi Nihei	...	Lawer
Ellen Yeung	...	Mrs. Chan Hung
George Woo	...	George
Emily Woo Yamasaki	...	Chan's Daughter Jenny (as Emily Yamasaki)
Virginia Cerenio	...	Jenny's Friend
Roy Chan	...	Mr. Lee
Leong Pui Chee	...	Mr. Fong

Storyline

Two cabbies search San Francisco's Chinatown for a mysterious character who has disappeared with their $4000. Their quest leads them on a humorous, if mundane, journey which illuminates the many problems experienced by Chinese-Americans trying to assimilate into contemporary American society.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | chinatown san francisco | taxi driver | missing person | search | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1995.

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Quotes

Jo: This mystery is appropriately Chinese: what's not there seems to have just as much meaning as what is there.

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Connections

Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)

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Soundtracks

Sabor a mí
(uncredited)
Written by Álvaro Carrillo
Performed by Los Lobos
Played at the Senior Center

User Reviews

They Call It Whimsical

Two cabbies search San Francisco's Chinatown for a mysterious character who has disappeared with their $4000. Their quest leads them on a humorous, if mundane, journey which illuminates the many problems experienced by Chinese-Americans trying to assimilate into contemporary American society.

It is widely recognized as the first Asian-American feature narrative film to gain both theatrical distribution and critical acclaim outside of the Asian American community. And come to think of it, this seems right -- where are all the "Asian" films? We have plenty of kung fu imports, but where are the home-grown efforts? Where is the Asian equivalent of a "blaxploitation" subgenre? Anyway, this is a fun film that blends mystery, comedy and social commentary. I haven't had the pleasure to go to San Francisco or its Chinatown, but films like this make it all the more appealing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

4 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chan Sumiu

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Yorker Films, Wayne Wang Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White