SXSW / Cinequest 2019 – Go Back to China
After spoiled rich girl Sasha Li blows through half of her trust fund, she is cut off by her father and forced to go back to China and work for the family toy business.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Emily Ting
Watch Go Back to China on Vudu, Prime Video and Kanopy
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This is a story I’ve been wanting to tell for a long time. I feel like everyone has one story that has shaped the trajectory of their life and defined who they are today. For me, going back to China to work for the family business is that story. I learned a lot about myself in the 12 years I spent working for the family business, and making this film was a really cathartic experience.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This is a really universal story that is both funny and heartfelt. You don't have to be Asian to relate to the family dynamics depicted in the film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This is a deeply personal film in that it is loosely based on my own family and my own experience of going back to Asia and working for the family business. Even though this is an Asian-American story very specific to my own experiences, I think that its themes of family and sacrifice are universal and relatable.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This is a story I've wanted to tell for over a decade. I made a documentary called FAMILY INC 12 years ago, covering the same subjects, and ever since then, I've struggled to figure out how to tell this story narratively. I think that the distance I had between making the documentary and the narrative feature was crucial in gaining the necessary perspective to tell the story more objectively. My attitude during the documentary very much echoed that of Sasha's during the first act, without seeing the silver lining of this opportunity. But it took actual self growth in my own life for me to see where Sasha's story had to end in the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have been really overwhelmed by the positive reaction so far. We had a press screening a few weeks ago, and I was a nervous wreck. But afterwards, everyone came up to me and told me how much they enjoyed the film and some even admitted to tearing up in the end.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
You never know how your work would be received by the general public, and it's quite a validation when they do respond positively. In my case, the first negative reactions I received were actually from my own agents, who did not like the film at all. They thought my first feature was a stronger film, and they did not want to help promote my new film at all. It was really disheartening to hear, and I thought I had hit the sophomore slump. I didn't think I would get into any film festivals, and that I should just go ahead and bury the film. But then we ended up getting invited to dozens of film festivals and received really positive reactions from the press. I learned to trust my own gut and have faith in my work and ended up parting ways with my agents.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I appreciate any platform that will help create more awareness to independent films. We don't have a huge promotional budget and really rely on platforms like Wearemovingstories to get the word out!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are currently working with Cinetic Media as our sales agent, but definitely looking for buyers/distributors who may be interested in distributing the film and film festival programmers who may be interested in screening the film!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want the audience to root for Sasha's journey and also to be moved by the theme of familial sacrifice that runs throughout the film.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is it more important to support your family financially or be supportive of your family?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Anna Akana just recorded an album, which she will be releasing this spring. She is also currently shooting the new Netflix film LET IT SNOW (based on the John Green novel). Lynn Chen just directed her first feature I WILL MAKE YOU MINE, which I had the pleasure of helping her produce.
Interview: March 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Go Back to China
After spoiled rich girl Sasha Li blows through half of her trust fund, she is cut off by her father and forced to go back to China and work for the family toy business.
Length: 1:36:00
Director: Emily Ting
Producer: Emily Ting
Writer: Emily Ting
About the writer, director and producer:
EMILY TING's second feature GO BACK TO CHINA, starring Anna Akana, will make its world premiere at SXSW 2019. Her first feature ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG, starring Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg, was distributed theatrically in 2016. Emily was previously known for producing and executive producing the films THE KITCHEN, A YEAR AND CHANGE, LAND HO!, PIT STOP, and MAN FROM RENO.
Key cast: Anna Akana (Sasha), Richard Ng (Teddy), Lynn Chen (Carol), Kelly Hu (May)
Looking for: distributors, buyers, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Go Back to China
Twitter: @gobackchinafilm
Instagram: @gobacktochinafilm
Website: https://www.gobacktochinafilm.com
Other: IMDB
Funders: Self-financing + private equity
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? SXSW/Austin, TX - March 9, 10, 15; Cinequest/San Jose, CA - March 14, 15, 16, 17; SDAFF Spring Showcase/San Diego, CA - April 13