Looking through the S&A archives, I came across a profile of director J.P. Chan's sci-fi short for Futurestates, titled "Digital Antiquities." I enjoyed that film, so I started looking into Chan's past work. In doing so, I found his 2010 gem-of-a-short, "Empire Corner" which premiered at the Sarasota Film Festival in April 2010, and was on the festival circuit for most of that year. "Empire Corner" features some earlier work from Teyonah Parris (who we last saw starring in Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq" late last year) and Alexis Camins in the lead roles, while Shalita Grant and Jo Mei give supporting performances. Mei and Corey...
- 3/22/2016
- by Emmanuel Akitobi
- ShadowAndAct
There’s nothing forced or sentimental here, and more than a modicum of bleak humor, but as laid-back indies go, this one may be a tad too laid-back. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Siblings Jen (Jo Mei) and Kyle (Andrew Pang) haven’t been the best of friends, but now they’re forced into uncomfortable close proximity during a weekend retreat from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up their mother’s house after her recent death. There’s a lovely effortlessness with which director J.P. Chan — Mei cowrote the film with him — eases us into the siblings’ awkward relationship and the poignance of their task: there’s nothing forced or sentimental here, and more than a modicum of grief-induced humor as they make a discovery among her belongings about their mom...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Siblings Jen (Jo Mei) and Kyle (Andrew Pang) haven’t been the best of friends, but now they’re forced into uncomfortable close proximity during a weekend retreat from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up their mother’s house after her recent death. There’s a lovely effortlessness with which director J.P. Chan — Mei cowrote the film with him — eases us into the siblings’ awkward relationship and the poignance of their task: there’s nothing forced or sentimental here, and more than a modicum of grief-induced humor as they make a discovery among her belongings about their mom...
- 10/22/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Sensitive and understated, J.P. Chan's A Picture of You balances humor and sentiment with an instinctive hand, skillfully unearthing honest, unexpected laughs amid intense grief.
Old resentments fuel fires between estranged siblings Kyle (Andrew Pang) and Jen (Jo Mei) as they prepare their childhood house for sale after their mother's passing. They needle one another over trivialities — how much tape to use to pack boxes, what to eat for dinner — both so stubborn that they mourn in isolation despite the enormity of their shared sorrow.
Packing away the household knickknacks brings back hazy memories of their mother. Here is where the film's title becomes a sly wink, suggesting sweet remembrances, but revealing the picture in question as a racy, X-rat...
Old resentments fuel fires between estranged siblings Kyle (Andrew Pang) and Jen (Jo Mei) as they prepare their childhood house for sale after their mother's passing. They needle one another over trivialities — how much tape to use to pack boxes, what to eat for dinner — both so stubborn that they mourn in isolation despite the enormity of their shared sorrow.
Packing away the household knickknacks brings back hazy memories of their mother. Here is where the film's title becomes a sly wink, suggesting sweet remembrances, but revealing the picture in question as a racy, X-rat...
- 6/20/2014
- Village Voice
We're proud to premiere the first poster for A Picture of You, the first feature film by writer/director J.P. Chan. You can view the poster by artist and filmmaker Yen Tan in its full glory below (click the image to enlarge). The trailer can also be found below; it starts quiet and introspective, and then kicks off into something that looks much wilder, darker ... and funnier. According to the official synopsis: Kyle and Jen, estranged siblings, travel from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up the home of their recently deceased mother. While there, they inadvertently make a shocking discovery that turns their world upside-down. A serious movie about life that collides into a funny movie about death, A Picture of You...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/4/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Looking through the S&A archives, I came across a profile of director J.P. Chan's sci-fi short for Futurestates, titled Digital Antiquities. I enjoyed that film, so I started looking into Chan's past work. In doing so, I found his 2010 gem-of-a-short, Empire Corner. I don't believe the film was highlighted here on S&A; but if so, here it is again for those who missed it. And if it wasn't, better late than never, right? Empire Corner premiered at the Sarasota Film Festival in April 2010, and was on the festival circuit for most of the year. Empire Corner features Teyonah Parris (How Do You Know) and Alexis Camins in the lead roles, while Shalita Grant and...
- 3/19/2014
- by Emmanuel Akitobi
- ShadowAndAct
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority knows that New Yorkers love to complain about anything -- but perhaps most of all the city's robust 24/7 transportation system. In an effort to counter the negativity, the Mta brought on a full-time filmmaker to document all the work that they do. Now that Sandy has done her damage and the Mta and the city need to start cleaning up, New Yorkers have been understanding and incredibly appreciative of the work their city needs to do in order to rebuild. The Mta's filmmaker, J.P. Chan (who also directed last week's Project of the Day "A Picture of You"), has done his best to document the ravaging effects of this week's storm on the Mta's YouTube channel. Below is footage Chan assembled from the downtown South Ferry and Whitehall St. Station: More videos from Sandy can be found on the Mta Video Releases page of the Mta website.
- 10/31/2012
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "A Picture of You" Tweetable Logline: A serious movie about life that collides head-on into a funny movie about death. Elevator Pitch: Kyle and Jen, estranged siblings, travel from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up the home of their recently deceased mother. While there, they inadvertently make a shocking discovery that turns their world upside-down. Production Team: Writer/director: J.P. Chan Story by: J.P. Chan and Jo Mei Producers: Yasmine Gomez, Robert M. Chang ("Half-Life"), J.P. Chan Executive Producer: Duane Andersen ("Surrogate Valentine") Director of Photography: Andrew Reed ("Cold Weather") ...
- 10/23/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "A Picture of You" Tweetable Logline: A serious movie about life that collides head-on into a funny movie about death. Elevator Pitch: Kyle and Jen, estranged siblings, travel from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up the home of their recently deceased mother. While there, they inadvertently make a shocking discovery that turns their world upside-down. Production Team: Writer/director: J.P. Chan Story by: J.P. Chan and Jo Mei Producers: Yasmine Gomez, Robert M. Chang ("Half-Life"), J.P. Chan Executive Producer: Duane Andersen ("Surrogate Valentine") Director of Photography: Andrew Reed ("Cold Weather") ...
- 10/23/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
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