ETHAN MAO

San Francisco Premiere

USA/Canada 2004 | 88mins | 35mm Color

In person: Director Quentin Lee, producer Stanley Yung and actors Jun Hee Lee and Jerry Hernandez

Quentin Lee's past features (SHOPPING FOR FANGS, SFIAAFF '97; DRIFT) have focused on everything from confused identities to obsessive passion. With ETHAN MAO, he turns his focus to family and tears down the faŤade of suburban normalcy. After his homophobic father throws him out of the house, the teenage Ethan becomes a hustler, turning tricks to survive. His only friend/mentor is the street-smart Remigio. When the two unexpectedly confront Ethan's family, no amount of experience can prepare anyone for the explosive events that follow.

Unlike more polite or comedic family melodramas, ETHAN MAO pulls few punches in its raw dissection of rage and resentment. There are no easy villains or victims as a collision of emotions leaves everyone wounded, both literally and figuratively. In the midst of this chaos, Lee also examines the bond between Ethan and Remigio as they confront their feelings for one another.

First-time feature actors Jun Hee Lee (Ethan) and Jerry Hernandez (Remigio) turn in impressive performances, playing their respective characters with humanity and charm. Along with the rest of the cast, they make ETHAN MAO a powerful meditation on pain, fear and love that touches both gut and heart.

—Oliver Wang

Sponsored by American Legacy Foundation