Attending the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival is sinking deep into a pool full of cinematic fantastic. Every year of attendance, one always leaves changed, awed, or itching to transfer thoughts to paper. There will always be something that stands out and this year it was Go Back to China.
There appears to be an amusing pattern of gravitating towards films with the most awkward titles. In 2018, it was Justin Chon’s Gook, that made me pause to glance at the LA skyline and remember the LA riots. For this year, Go Back to China, reminds me that change is scary but be a good thing, even if it was not your choice to begin with.
This Centerpiece film screened to a full house at the Aratani theater on May 4th. It is the second film directed by Emily Ting and stars Anna Akana and Lynn Chen.
Anna Akana is most well known for her comedic, honest, and mindful Youtube content where she covers a wide variety of topics such as addressing your anxiety to reviewing cat bubble carriers. The topics can be jarringly honest but with her easy smile and funny antics, it’s easy to “stay awesome gotham.”
Lynn Chen has been absolute actress gem in her work and has been delight to watch her work. Her works have included Saving Face and To the Boys I’ve Slept With. She came upon my radar with her hilarious role in the Youtube short series: Nice Girls Crew where childhood friends get together for a book club. They club begins with the third book in the Harry Potter series since one member felt it was the “best one” and things get out of hand from there.
With these two amazing actresses starring in Go Back to China, I was prepared for some comedy, some drama, and expectations of something different.
Sasha (played by Anna Akana) is at that wonderful stage after college and looking for a job. Unlike most people, she is half-heartedly looking for a job as she doesn’t really see a need to work hard. Her estranged father in China pays for her tuition, credit cards, and living expenses. Without batting an eye, she can smoothly hand over a card for a $1500 jacket. Unsurprisingly, her comfortable coast through life rolls to a jarring stop as her father suddenly cuts her off monetarily to issue her a life changing ultimatum: come back to China and work in the family business or figure out life on your own. Sasha huffs and puffs but is forced to accept.
She carried over to China negative expectations and a sour attitude. She complete hates her father for cheating on her mother and finding out that her mother was actually wife #2 . She only recognizes her older half sister, Carol (played by Lynn Chen), and not her other half-siblings. She hates Chinese food. The reality of the situation is that her father is a big deal as he lives in a mega mansion complete with busty, naked women on mosaic titles which he rarely enjoys as he’s constantly working on his toy business and caring for his hundreds of employees. The more that Sasha works and actually sees her father, she sees a man who is horrible at maintaining family relationships but he is beyond generous his heart and energy.
At the same time, Sasha begins to learn more about her half sister, Carol, who had been the biggest surprise in her life. Before Carol, Sasha had no idea that her father had been married and another life. Despite the intrusion, the two sisters develop a bond between these shared experiences of betrayal. It is a still a fragile bond as there is still a history of emotions and resentment that each will have to face. The connection between Chen and Akana as sisters was so genuine and natural that it was so easy to feel everything deeply as they went on this emotional journey.
The family relations are the forerunner of focus in the movie but there is also solid threads of social commentary weaved prominently within. Carrying on with the theme of family, there is a focus on the workforce culture and the impact on the family. Many workers travel in long distances to work in the city and send money. Most rarely get to their children. This becomes a huge reality check for Sasha as sees it from this parallel perspective to our own angst with her father. For even though it hurts to not always be with your loved one, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t always thinking of you.
The Q&A with Emily Ting and the cast gave some very interesting tidbits. The movie is a loose auto-bibliographical story of Ting’s own life as her family does own and run a toy business. In fact, both the business and the mansion featured in the movie belonged to her family!
Go Back to China is a story about growth and family. Through Sasha’s eyes we see this different culture and perspective and grow along with her. There were so many moments of laughter with the quirky humor and antics but there was plenty of sniffles with the raw moments. It was truly one of the most honest and entertaining films of family dynamic I have ever seen. Especially of a family that is spread across two countries. Walking away from the theater immediately brought up my own scattered family members across the world and a need to connect.
Go Back to China is currently making its round through the festival circuit garnering increasing attention and acclaim. The movie is such a well done package of beautiful cinematography and unique soundtrack. If you have a chance to watch this film, this film is ultimately recommended! Check this LINK for upcoming screenings.
If I did have one gripe, it was that I wish those cute little sloth plush dolls were available. They were so adorable.
For more info on the movie check out:
website: https://www.gobacktochinafilm.com
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobacktochinafilm/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoBacktoChinaFilm/
twitter: https://twitter.com/gobackchinafilm
