Saving Face (2004)
Director: Alice Wu
Runtime: 91 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Rating: R21
Full Synopsis
This low-key and utterly charming rom-com became a sapphic classic in the years after its release for its portrayal of the unique bond between a widowed mother (Joan Chen) and perpetually single daughter Wilhelmenia, “Wil” (Michelle Krusiec). After a series of disastrous blind dates Ma sets up for Wil, suddenly she has to move in with Wil after being kicked out of her own parents’ house—for falling pregnant at 48 and refusing to identify the father—straining Wil’s budding romance with a ballet dancer (Lynn Chen). The two parallel forbidden romances set up a rather heartfelt film, and each have their own happy endings!
© 2005 Screen Gems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Preceded by “Koré” (mature)
Kore (1994)
Director: Tran T. Kim-Trang
Runtime: 17 minutes
Country: USA
Language: None
Full Synopsis
By focusing on the blindfold, koré explores the eye as purveyor of desire, sexual fear, and the fantasy of blindness. An alternative sexuality is founded in touch-based (feminine?) pleasure as opposed to a vision-based (masculine?) pleasure. An examination of institutional blindspots towards women, and people of color, concerning AIDS expands on the issue of vision, visibility and the disease.
(text Video Databank)
This film is featured in the strand A Bold Gaze, part of the Constellating Histories: Encountering Asian American Diasporas Onscreen programme. For the full programme lineup please click here.
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