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Sasha (Ling Li) is part of the new youth generation of China, unbeholden to traditions and history, always trying to find themselves in the present moment. An exchange student in Nebraska, Sasha is pregnant after a one-night stand with Yang, a young man she knew briefly in Beijing. He was a nan dan, a male actor who specializes in female roles in the Beijing Opera. She departs for San Francisco, where she plans to get an abortion. Boshen (Brian Danforth), a Caucasian American, who had an affair with Yang while living in China, takes Sasha in, hoping to persuade her to keep the child. However, Sasha is determined to do what she pleases it's her body, it's her future. She wants to explore the new options open to her. Sasha soon meets X, a bar hostess who reminds her of Yang, and they entertain a group of businessmen in a private karaoke room. Later she spends the night with X. Throughout, Sasha is text-messaging Yang, who never responds. She also creates a video diary with her cell phone which is intercut throughout the narrative. Along with her yearning for freedom, she also longs for connection. At an ultrasound appointment, Sasha she sees the life growing inside her and something in her countenance changes. Boshen has talked to her about setting up a family, a new kind of family. Perhaps she will make a different decision after all. Sasha leaves the clinic and watches a parade. In the final sequence, she is by herself, in a large empty room, lip-synching to the plaintive song by Antony and the Johnsons, Hope There's Someone, which begins Hope there's someone/Who'll take care of me/When I die, will I go.
Original Release
06/20/2008
US Release
06/20/2008
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Li Ling | Sasha |
Brian Danforth | Boshen |
Minghua Tan | May |
Zhi Hao Li | Driver |
Hiep Thi Le | Mother at Mall |
Djinn Ong | Father at Mall |
Roxy Ong | Daughter at Mall |
Finn Carlito Ong | Son at Mall |
Jay Patumanoan | Security Guard |
Jason W. Wong | Alvin |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Li Ling | Sasha |
Brian Danforth | Boshen |
Minghua Tan | May |
Zhi Hao Li | Driver |
Hiep Thi Le | Mother at Mall |
Djinn Ong | Father at Mall |
Roxy Ong | Daughter at Mall |
Finn Carlito Ong | Son at Mall |
Jay Patumanoan | Security Guard |
Jason W. Wong | Alvin |
Jacintha Charles | Party Guest #1 |
Pamelyn Chee | X |
Patrice Binaisa | James |
Qing Lin | Karaoke Woman |
Ping Chen | Wolf |
Andrey Chow | Clinic Receptionist |
Emily Beck | Claire |
Birgitta Palme | Mary |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Yasushi Kotani | Executive Producer |
Taizo Son | Executive Producer |
Stephen Gong | Executive Producer |
Grace Eng | Producer |
Taro Goto | Producer |
Ethan Gunning | Producer |
Yukie Kito | Producer |
Donald Young | Producer |
Stephen Gong | Producer |
Taizo Son | Producer |
Yasushi Kotani | Producer |