Hi Roseanne
I watched your documentary on TV the other night and have mixed feelings.
As a Chinese immigrant, I'd love to see more films on such topics that explore the relationship between generations of Chinese immigrants, depicts their life from various perspectives, and seeks out for better ways to integrate in the new environment while carrying on the essence of Chinese culture.
I really admire your courage to put yourself and your family members in a situation where private issues are brought to the limelight for the public to judge. You must have gone through many sleepless nights and had millions of regrets, before you agree to release this film. The authenticity and improvisation is worth celebrating.
At the same time, I find some room for improvements.
Firstly, the main character also the narrator speaks too fast. Maybe she is too emotionally involved or appears in front of the camera for the first time, hence not able to consciously slow down. But it is actually easier to put your points across, when you are calm and articulate.
Secondly, the film turns a blind eye on the upbringing and life experience of the parents, and as a result it fails to present balanced views on the issue. It seems very abrupt and unbelievable that parents as decent and devoted as such would take an uncompromising stance when it comes to the daughters' love affair and marriage. Ideally they could face the camera and speak out, though admittedly Chinese people, especially the older generations, tend to be very reserved. But in any case, they should not be silenced. If anything could be dug deep here, it might help the audience to see from the parents' point of view.
Thirdly, the film is unique in that the narrator happens to be the key character. The downside of the uniqueness is the lack of objectivity and the danger of generalizing. Chinese parents in China and immigrants overseas may well accept the prospectus of, and even be proud of, having foreign in-laws. The parents in the film may happen to be very traditional and old-fashioned.
