San Diego Asian Film Festival 2009

This film ticket includes a free reception at 5:30PM at the Hazard Center and a free post-film reception at 9:00PM at the Double Tree hotel.

In this gripping examination of immigrant pursuit of the American Dream, Cindy (Elaine Cheung) is a single mother. To support her children, precocious Raymond (Michael Chen) and sister Tina (Crystal Chiu), Elaine bounces from one sales job to another to make ends meet in a harsh, unforgiving economy. When her family is finally evicted from their suburban Boston home and forced to seek refuge in an unfinished apartment building, Elaine's desperation leads her to become involved in a Ponzi scheme victimizing other immigrants. The scheme eventually falls apart and Elaine becomes separated from what she cares about most, her children. Left alone, Raymond and Tina are forced to fend for themselves, showing great resilience in their battle for survival.

Substantial and very compelling, this film emphatically establishes first-time feature director Tze Chun on the forefront of American independent film. Marvelously shot, edited, and written, CHILDREN OF INVENTION boasts wonderfully natural performances from its cast, especially Chen and Chiu, who demonstrate subtlety rarely seen from child actors. Attacking timely issues such as the exploitation of immigrants, child neglect, the current global economic meltdown, and get-rich-quick Ponzi schemes, CHILDREN OF INVENTION boldly breaks new ground in Asian American cinema. Exploration of these issues is deftly balanced with the levity provided by truly delicate moments of humor, yielding a remarkably entertaining film with universal appeal to all audiences.

CHILDREN OF INVENTION made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and won Grand Jury Prizes for Best Narrative Feature at the Newport International Film Festival and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. – Gene Huh

Director Tze Chun will be in attendance.

Additional Info:
UCLA APA YouTube Interview
channelAPA YouTube Interview
LA Asian Pacific Film Festival Interview

Co-presented by:
San Diego Chinese Women's Association
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA)
Asian American Repertory Theatre
San Diego City College - World Cultures Program
ArtPower! Film at UC San Diego