Searching for Anna May Wong

New Documentary “Searching for Anna May Wong” Highlights the Life and Career of the Pioneering Asian American Actress

The Film will Have its World Premiere Run from November 20-26 at the Laemmle Theatres in NoHo for Academy Award Commercial Qualification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Los Angeles, CA) October 28, 2020 – The world premiere of “Searching for Anna May Wong” will be making its premiere debut at the Laemmle’s NoHo 7 Theatre from November 20-26, 2020 for an official Academy Awards qualifying commercial run. On November 12, 2020 from 10:00am-11:00am PST, we are inviting members of the press to join our digital press conference ahead of the film’s premiere to chat with the creators and stars of the film. Online registration to attend and participate can be made at https://tinyurl.com/S4AMWpc.

The half hour documentary features commentary and interviews from boundary-breaking luminaries as well as rising Asian talent including Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, the legendary James Hong, Tzi Ma, Amy Hill, the late Elizabeth Sung, Jake Choi, Ludi Lin, Anna Wong (Anna May Wong’s grandniece), and other exciting talent sharing their thoughts about their place in the industry and the challenges Asian talent still face in a slowly evolving cinema landscape.

“Searching for Anna May Wong” chronicles the journey of aspiring actress Natasha Tina Liu exploring the question, if trailblazing actor Anna May Wong were still alive today, would she still face the same racism and challenges she experienced during her time in Old Hollywood? The actress famously lost the lead role as an Asian character to Luise Rainer when MGM refused to give the lead role to Anna May Wong. They instead offered a bit part in the film which Anna refused. Rainer ended up winning an Oscar for that role in which she donned yellowface to portray the character that should have gone to Anna.

The arduous journey of Anna May Wong and Asian actors in Hollywood mirrors the production of the documentary which began with filmmakers Z. Eric Yang and Quentin Lee in 2017. Due to creative differences, Z. Eric Yang left the project and 40 hours of footage to producer Quentin Lee who then enlisted editor Denise Chan to finish the documentary.

“For the past three years, ”Searching for Anna May Wong” has been a challenging journey to say the least. Because most of the talent involved came on board as a favor to me, this previously unfinished project has been weighing on me. To not let my friends’ efforts go in vain, I had no choice but to finish the film by crook or by hook. I’m most grateful to Denise for coming on board as an editor and co-director and Natasha for helping us finish the film”, said producer Quentin Lee.

Following its theatrical release, starting November 27th “Searching for Anna May Wong” will stream exclusively on AsianAmericanMovies.com and will be available for free viewing to members of the Academy (AMPAS), PGA, DGA, WGA and SAG on its official website: http://searchingforannamaywong.com. The film will also be available on TVOD on Amazon on November 27th, 2020.

A member of Producer’s Guild of America, Quentin Lee has directed and produced over a dozen of features and two television series. In 2020, Quentin has made Kim McVicar’s Please Notice Me, Brash Boys Club and Candy and Smiley, three comedy specials for Comedy Dynamics. He has also co-directed, co-wrote and produced an acclaimed sci-fi comedy feature titled Comisery during the pandemic. In addition, he’s currently shooting Boy Luck Club, the first “gaysian” comedy TV series.

New Documentary “Searching for Anna May Wong” Highlights the Life and Career of the Pioneering Asian American Actress

The Film will Have its World Premiere Run from November 20-26 at the Laemmle Theatres in NoHo for Academy Award Commercial Qualification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Los Angeles, CA) October 28, 2020 – The world premiere of “Searching for Anna May Wong” will be making its premiere debut at the Laemmle’s NoHo 7 Theatre from November 20-26, 2020 for an official Academy Awards qualifying commercial run. On November 12, 2020 from 10:00am-11:00am PST, we are inviting members of the press to join our digital press conference ahead of the film’s premiere to chat with the creators and stars of the film. Online registration to attend and participate can be made at https://tinyurl.com/S4AMWpc.

The half hour documentary features commentary and interviews from boundary-breaking luminaries as well as rising Asian talent including Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, the legendary James Hong, Tzi Ma, Amy Hill, the late Elizabeth Sung, Jake Choi, Ludi Lin, Anna Wong (Anna May Wong’s grandniece), and other exciting talent sharing their thoughts about their place in the industry and the challenges Asian talent still face in a slowly evolving cinema landscape.

“Searching for Anna May Wong” chronicles the journey of aspiring actress Natasha Tina Liu exploring the question, if trailblazing actor Anna May Wong were still alive today, would she still face the same racism and challenges she experienced during her time in Old Hollywood? The actress famously lost the lead role as an Asian character to Luise Rainer when MGM refused to give the lead role to Anna May Wong. They instead offered a bit part in the film which Anna refused. Rainer ended up winning an Oscar for that role in which she donned yellowface to portray the character that should have gone to Anna.

The arduous journey of Anna May Wong and Asian actors in Hollywood mirrors the production of the documentary which began with filmmakers Z. Eric Yang and Quentin Lee in 2017. Due to creative differences, Z. Eric Yang left the project and 40 hours of footage to producer Quentin Lee who then enlisted editor Denise Chan to finish the documentary.

“For the past three years, ”Searching for Anna May Wong” has been a challenging journey to say the least. Because most of the talent involved came on board as a favor to me, this previously unfinished project has been weighing on me. To not let my friends’ efforts go in vain, I had no choice but to finish the film by crook or by hook. I’m most grateful to Denise for coming on board as an editor and co-director and Natasha for helping us finish the film”, said producer Quentin Lee.

Following its theatrical release, starting November 27th “Searching for Anna May Wong” will stream exclusively on AsianAmericanMovies.com and will be available for free viewing to members of the Academy (AMPAS), PGA, DGA, WGA and SAG on its official website: http://searchingforannamaywong.com. The film will also be available on TVOD on Amazon on November 27th, 2020.

A member of Producer’s Guild of America, Quentin Lee has directed and produced over a dozen of features and two television series. In 2020, Quentin has made Kim McVicar’s Please Notice Me, Brash Boys Club and Candy and Smiley, three comedy specials for Comedy Dynamics. He has also co-directed, co-wrote and produced an acclaimed sci-fi comedy feature titled Comisery during the pandemic. In addition, he’s currently shooting Boy Luck Club, the first “gaysian” comedy TV series.