After premiering at the Hawaii International film festival in 2011, Patrick Wang’s film In the Family won the Best Narrative Feature and the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Awards at San Diego Asian Film Festival. The film then opened in New York where the enthusiasm of critics and audiences allowed the film to stay for an extended run before having it’s Canadian premiere at the Whistler Film Festival. By the end of the year, In the Family also received a Best First Feature nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Hammer Award from Hammer to Nail and appeared on over 20 year end best lists of 2011. In the Family will be screened on March 9th @ 5:15PM, March 13th @ 5:30PM and March 17th @ 8:00PM at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website at SFIAAFF
New York Times Review – “…a career to keep an eye on.”
New York Times Critic’s Pick – “…remarkably fresh and unpredictable drama.”
Slant Magazine Review – “4 Stars”
Hyphen Magazine – “Stunning Debut”
Filmmaker Magazine – “…a must-see, an eye-opening debut.”
Many critics could argue, perhaps convincingly, that In the Family could be edited from its almost 3 hours to 2 hours, however, the pacing of the film doesn’t suffer from its length. And by taking time to develop the almost mundane everyday life of a gay couple raising a young son, the film is actually a bold political statement that speaks directly to every person who thinks being gay is somehow a non-stop sex fest. Because of that, the film makes a very strong point even before the issues at the heart of the movie become front and center. It’s a family friendly film where sexual orientation is almost an afterthought of the movie and that is what sets the tone and makes it groundbreaking. That is a long winded way of saying that anyone who thinks the film should fit into a typical 2 hour movie formula, is missing the depth of the story and the emotional impact the pacing creates.
Many Asian-American actors would say they hate doing accents because they are connected with stereotypical roles, but Patrick Wang’s southern accent probably wasn’t what Asian-American actors had in mind and in this case it is a testament to Patrick’s incredible acting abilities. I am one who thinks directors should direct and not also take on the demand of acting in their own films because both can suffer, but Patrick Wang’s acting and directing are both amazing. He has embraced this film heart and soul and it’s evident in its emotional complexity and perhaps this is a case where it could not have been as successful without Patrick in both roles.
In the film the downward spiral starts with the confrontation between Joey (Patrick Wang) and Chad’s sister over the will and is a riveting scene that doesn’t leave the viewer rooting for anyone, but actually feeling the pain and the point each is making about the circumstances. But for Joey it is the most devastating because everything in his life is gone overnight; his partner, his child, and his home. The loneliness and destruction of his life is powerfully and beautifully created by Patrick’s acting and directing making this a heart wrenching film that shouldn’t be missed. And the film’s conclusion? Emotionally brilliant.
Our interview with Patrick was a first in the sense that he is the writer, director and lead actor in the film. Discussing the evolution of the film and why being the director and lead actor were central to its sucess is a fascinating look into filmmaking and the decision making process of a filmmaker that determines not just how sucessful the film will be, but how the story is ultimately told.
In the Family Trailer
Patrick Wang Interview
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