Director/Actor Albert M. Chan Launches Fundraising Campaign
For Asian-American Immigration Film
For Asian-American Immigration Film
Chinese-American director and actor Albert M. Chan has launched a
fundraising campaign for his upcoming dramatic film DESCENDANTS OF THE
PAST, ANCESTORS OF THE FUTURE. The campaign's promotional video,
which can be viewed at http://descendantsofthepast.com, features interviews
with production team members about their own ancestry, their ideas for the
forthcoming film, and how people can become a part of the project to receive
unique items such as DVDs, posters, producing credits, and on-screen
dedications to family members. Featured in the video are Chan, producers
Brian D. Evans and Richard Possemato, and editor Aaron Howland.
"The film's story is one that's very close to my heart," Chan reveals. "It's based
on the circumstances half a century ago that led my grandfather to immigrate to
San Francisco while my mother immigrated to Toronto. The story is told in the
present day from the point of view of a Chinese American who's about to
become a father to a baby girl. But before she's born, he desperately needs to
find out how his mother and her own father could have lived apart for most of
their lives."
The project will be beautifully shot on 35mm film by Emmy-nominated
cinematographer Cira Felina Bolla. "Cira's words to me was that she was
'completely blown away' with the beauty of the script," Chan recalls. "She's one
the few female cinematographers around, so she brings a different
interpretation and sensitivity to her work."
fundraising campaign for his upcoming dramatic film DESCENDANTS OF THE
PAST, ANCESTORS OF THE FUTURE. The campaign's promotional video,
which can be viewed at http://descendantsofthepast.com, features interviews
with production team members about their own ancestry, their ideas for the
forthcoming film, and how people can become a part of the project to receive
unique items such as DVDs, posters, producing credits, and on-screen
dedications to family members. Featured in the video are Chan, producers
Brian D. Evans and Richard Possemato, and editor Aaron Howland.
"The film's story is one that's very close to my heart," Chan reveals. "It's based
on the circumstances half a century ago that led my grandfather to immigrate to
San Francisco while my mother immigrated to Toronto. The story is told in the
present day from the point of view of a Chinese American who's about to
become a father to a baby girl. But before she's born, he desperately needs to
find out how his mother and her own father could have lived apart for most of
their lives."
The project will be beautifully shot on 35mm film by Emmy-nominated
cinematographer Cira Felina Bolla. "Cira's words to me was that she was
'completely blown away' with the beauty of the script," Chan recalls. "She's one
the few female cinematographers around, so she brings a different
interpretation and sensitivity to her work."
(Above) Albert Chan today; Chan as a baby with his mom, Betty Chan and grandfather Art
Kem Lee
Kem Lee
| (Above) Poster of Albert Chan's movie; (below) Aaron Howland and Chan scout potential shooting location |
Chan's goal is to raise $25,000, which will cover the costs of shooting on 35mm film as well as the myriad other production costs.
Thus far, he has already raised $7,500. "It's a great start, but we need to continue the momentum by partnering with more sponsors
and spreading the word," says Chan encouragingly. "I can't stress enough that no donation is too small--it really all adds up in the
end." A description of the full range of sponsorship levels and incentives can be found at http://descendantsofthepast.com/donate.
php.
"The film is a moving and poignant story that embodies the authentic voice and depiction of a multi-generational immigrant family,"
says Chan. "I think it'll resonate strongly with immigrants like my mother and grandfather who had the bravery and foresight to forge
a better future for successive generations, as well as with children of immigrants like myself, who often struggle with issues of
cultural identity and their sense of belonging."
As part of an underrepresented ethnic minority in film and TV, Chan wanted to tell a meaningful story from his own cultural
perspective as the son of Chinese immigrants. Chan hopes to connect the finished film with audiences at international film festivals,
immigrant advocacy groups, educational institutions, Asian community groups, Asian youth groups, broadcast television, socially
conscious artistic groups, and Asian historical organizations.
The project reunites much of the team from Chan's previous film, FATE SCORES, which won an award from the National Film Board
of Canada and was acquired for distribution by Moving Images Distribution. FATE SCORES screened at major festivals across North
America including the Boston International Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival
(NYC), Sedona International Film Festival, Memphis International Film Festival, Wisconsin Film Festival, and Connecticut Film
Festival.
Collectively, the team has worked on such projects as THE DARK KNIGHT, GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST, COLD CASE, HOUSE
MD, LAW & ORDER SVU, BEE MOVIE, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, BODY OF PROOF, EVERY DAY, UNDERDOG, and BROTHERHOOD.
DESCENDANTS OF THE PAST, ANCESTORS OF THE FUTURE is produced by Chanal Productions LLC (http://chanalproductions.
com).
Thus far, he has already raised $7,500. "It's a great start, but we need to continue the momentum by partnering with more sponsors
and spreading the word," says Chan encouragingly. "I can't stress enough that no donation is too small--it really all adds up in the
end." A description of the full range of sponsorship levels and incentives can be found at http://descendantsofthepast.com/donate.
php.
"The film is a moving and poignant story that embodies the authentic voice and depiction of a multi-generational immigrant family,"
says Chan. "I think it'll resonate strongly with immigrants like my mother and grandfather who had the bravery and foresight to forge
a better future for successive generations, as well as with children of immigrants like myself, who often struggle with issues of
cultural identity and their sense of belonging."
As part of an underrepresented ethnic minority in film and TV, Chan wanted to tell a meaningful story from his own cultural
perspective as the son of Chinese immigrants. Chan hopes to connect the finished film with audiences at international film festivals,
immigrant advocacy groups, educational institutions, Asian community groups, Asian youth groups, broadcast television, socially
conscious artistic groups, and Asian historical organizations.
The project reunites much of the team from Chan's previous film, FATE SCORES, which won an award from the National Film Board
of Canada and was acquired for distribution by Moving Images Distribution. FATE SCORES screened at major festivals across North
America including the Boston International Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival
(NYC), Sedona International Film Festival, Memphis International Film Festival, Wisconsin Film Festival, and Connecticut Film
Festival.
Collectively, the team has worked on such projects as THE DARK KNIGHT, GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST, COLD CASE, HOUSE
MD, LAW & ORDER SVU, BEE MOVIE, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, BODY OF PROOF, EVERY DAY, UNDERDOG, and BROTHERHOOD.
DESCENDANTS OF THE PAST, ANCESTORS OF THE FUTURE is produced by Chanal Productions LLC (http://chanalproductions.
com).
Contact:
Albert M. Chan
617.429.5137
albert@chanalproductions.com
Albert M. Chan
617.429.5137
albert@chanalproductions.com
