Grace Lee hits New York City this week with her award-winning documentary, "The Grace Lee Project," in which the filmmaker plunges into an investigation of women who share her name. The film opens December 14 at the Film Forum - tickets can be bought online now. Read on for the AsianAmericanFilm.com interview.
AAF: What’s the most surprising thing you learned during the making of the film?
GL: I learned that things haven't really changed that much for a lot of young Asian American women and their struggles to balance what they want for themselves versus what their families and society expect from them. I was also surprised to learn that people are still naming their daughters Grace. Don't get me wrong, I like my name a lot, but somebody needs to send a memo out to the first generation letting them know that there are other options for good American names for their daughters!
AAF: It’s a huge coup to get distributor for an independent documentary. Can you tell us a bit about how your distribution deal came about and what the plan is?
GL: After screening in a couple of festivals in San Francisco, SXSW and Los Angeles several distributors specializing in documentaries approached us. We talked with all of them and thought that New York-based Women Make Movies would be the best home for the film because of its extensive contacts with educational and community organizations. With Women Make Movies, we intend to continue booking the film in theaters, regional festivals, and other public venues (museums, schools, etc), as well as pursue broadcast possibilities and eventual home video/DVD sales. If anyone out there is interested in booking the film, please contact Chris George at www.wmm.com.
AAF: What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve had from an audience member after a “Grace Lee Project” screening?
GL: Two women named Grace (but not Grace Lee) came up to me after a screening in Los Angeles told me they thought it was required viewing for all Asian Americans or anyone who's ever been pigeonhold as a certain 'type.' Also, I always laugh when I think about a Chinese woman named Sue Lin who came up to me after a screening in Rochester, NY and revealed that she shared the name and birthday of a giant panda.
AAF: Any special events associated with the release in New York? Any screenings you’ll be attending in person?
GL: I'll be answering questions at the 8pm shows at Film Forum on Wednesday, Dec 14 and Friday, Dec 16, and Saturday Dec 17, at 6pm, but i'm sure I'll be sneaking into other screenings over the first weekend as well. Look for me in the lobby. I'll be the petite Asian woman with shoulder-length hair.
AAF: What’s next for “The Grace Lee Project”? And what’s next for you?
GL: The Grace Lee Project is still being booked in various festivals and for public screenings around the country. Our distributor is in discussions with other theaters about future runs in select cities, but where and how many theaters totally depends on how the film is received in New York. So if you like the movie, please make sure to tell others to check it out. Future screenings will be updated on www.gracelee.net. As for me, I'm preparing a couple of other feature projects. One is a project to be shot in Korea called "Smells Like Butter," and the other is another full-length documentary about a community of revenants in southern California.
