Ethan Mao (2004)

Kicked out of his house because he's gay, Ethan Mao returns home to steal and ends up holding his family hostage on a fateful Thanksgiving Day.

Director:

Quentin Lee

Writer:

Quentin Lee

Stars:

Jun Hee Lee, Raymond Ma, Julia Nickson

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jun Hee Lee	...	Ethan Mao
Raymond Ma	...	Abraham Mao
Julia Nickson	...	Sarah Mao
Kevin Kleinberg	...	Josh
Jerry Hernandez	...	Remigio
David Tran	...	Noel Mao
Mary Gilbert	...	Mrs. Harvisham
René St. Leon	...	Teenage Boy
Jayne Taini	...	Waitress
Erik Robinson	...	Rich Man
Gregory Paul Daniels	...	Unseen Man
Dana Byrne	...	Ethan's Mom (as Dana Pan)
Michael Mesirow	...	Voice of Sheriff Black

Storyline

BOOTED OUT of his comfortable suburban house by his father for being gay after being outed by his manipulative stepmother, Ethan Mao, 18, survives on the street as a hustler selling sex to older men. He meets Remigio, 19, a drug dealer and sometime hustler, who befriends Ethan and takes him in. After being tipped off by his younger brother that his family is going on a day trip on Thanksgiving Day, Ethan asks Remigio for a ride to his family house to get some of his belongings and a necklace that belonged to his late mother. Ethan and Remigio break into Ethan's family house, but are caught in the act and believe they have no choice other than to hold his father, stepmother, and bullying stepbrother hostage. In the following increasingly desperate hours, Ethan, his family, and Remigio are forced to confront their unresolved conflicts between each other. As the tension between Ethan and his family escalates, their inner demons and family secrets unravel in this suspenseful drama.

---

Plot Keywords:

acquired immune deficiency syndrome | chinese | ring | police officer | scream | 

---

Taglines:

a family affair a crime a fugitive romance

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

MarginFilms.com Official producer/distributor's site for the film. [United States] ProFunMedia.com Official page for the film. [Germany]

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'enfer d'Ethan

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,356, 10 April 2005, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,839, 19 June 2005

Company Credits

Production Co:

Margin Films, Trailing Johnson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in 2006 Glitter Awards (2006)

User Reviews

A rare gem

This film tells the story of a closeted Chinese American teenager, who is discovered by his step-mother that he is in possession of a gay magazine. His father throws him out and disowns him, and he has to turn to desperate measures just to survive.

I am impressed by "Ethan Mao" because it is different from other gay films. First, it explores the cultural shackles of being gay in a Chinese family, which is really touching. Secondly, it is almost a gay crime thriller which is very unusual! Third, sex is not needed to sell this film. There is only one kissing scene in the whole film, and that is it! The film is intense and touching, and I cried at the end. I really enjoyed watching "Ethan Mao".