Red Doors

Last updated

Red Doors
Red Doors poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Georgia Lee
Written byGeorgia Lee
Produced byGeorgia Lee
Mia Riverton
Jane Chen
Starring Tzi Ma
Jacqueline Kim
Elaine Kao
Kathy Shao-Lin Lee
Freda Foh Shen
Mia Riverton
Distributed by Warner Brothers
Polychrome Pictures
Release dates
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Red Doors is a 2005 American independent comedy drama film written and directed by Georgia Lee. Inspired by the director's own family, [1] the film tells the coming of age story of a Chinese American family in the New York City suburbs. [2] While the film's title refers to the red door of the Wongs' New York home, the color red is generally said to bring good luck in Chinese culture. [3] [1] At the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, Red Doors won the prize for Best Narrative Feature. [4] Lee produced the movie alongside Jane Chen, Mia Riverton, and co-producer John Fiorelli. [5]

Contents

Plot

Ed Wong is the father of three daughters. Samantha, the eldest daughter, is a businesswoman facing her thirtieth birthday and is engaged to Mark. A run-in with her ex-boyfriend Alex forces her to reevaluate her career and love life. Julie, the shy middle sister, is a fourth-year medical student who enjoys ballroom dance classes. Julie begins to question her life choices when she meets Mia Scarlett. Youngest sister Katie is in her senior year of high school and is involved in a prank war with her neighbor and nemesis Simon.

Ed decides to relive his family's history through VHS footage. Between the happier times of the past and his present cold reality, Ed feels it is best to leave home. After retiring, he makes plans to escape from his life in the suburbs, yet his daughters have other plans. While the Wongs each face their own struggles, the family learns to communicate again through the stories and images of the past.

Cast

Production

Lee, a Philadelphia native and oldest of three sisters, [6] wrote and produced her first full-length film in 2005. [7] Although Red Doors was Lee's first full-length feature film, her first short film was called The Big Dish which was produced while taking film classes at NYU. [7] Lee stated that Red Doors benefits from different aspects shown in all of the short films. [7] The film was financed independently because Lee said Hollywood producers wanted to make the Wongs a Caucasian family for commercial purposes. [1] In order to produce the film independent of ordinary Hollywood productions, Lee formed Blanc de Chine, a production company that she would further run herself and with the help of college friends. [8]

When asked why the film is important to her, Lee stated that the story started as her own, yet while creating the script she was more interested in the backstory and how to capture a unique period of time in a family's dynamic. [8] Lee further said she was interested in correcting some of the typical stereotypes of Asian Americans usually portrayed in film. The home video footage seen in the film are actual home videos shot by Lee's father as she was growing up. [9] The videos were incorporated into the film due to the production's minimal budget.

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Red Doors has a 64% approval rating based on 25 reviews, with an average score of 6.0/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Flawed yet filled with finely detailed characters, Red Doors is a glimpse of the Asian-American experience that suggests great promise for writer-director Georgia Lee." [10]

Thelma Adams of Us Weekly said, "Lee paints a rich and insightful family portrait that is both funny and tender." She added although the film paints a truthful image, the performances by the male actors of the film were no match compared to the actresses and the "winning sister story." [11] Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Lee's comedy-drama is big on heart but never sappy, without overdoing the quirk factor or the melodrama, Lee shows a sure feel for family dynamics." [3] In the New York Daily News , Elizabeth Weitzman stated, "There's enough affection and insight to make Lee's next movie worth watching for." [12]

Ty Burr of The Boston Globe wrote, "The script has a sure feeling for the cross-currents of family tensions, but the filmmaker isn't sure how hard to bear down, and the various stories never convincingly knit together. Lee has promise, though." [13]

Janet Hanson of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "This is a hilariously funny and unbelievably revealing film about an Asian family living in the U.S. and dealing with the colliding worlds of their traditional heritage and their current reality. The choices they must make as individuals, as family members and as Asian Americans are sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking -- and ultimately self-defining for the characters, the filmmakers and those of us who watch the film." [14]

Las Vegas Weekly called the film, "charming, honest and heartfelt", [14] while The New York Times described it as a "unique and yet a universal story." [2] Logan Hill of NewYorkMetro.com stated, "Georgia Lee's understated family drama about a Chinese American family in the New York burbs, is an artfully observed, promising debut." [14]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Dash</span> American filmmaker and author (born 1962)

Julie Ethel Dash is an American filmmaker, music video and commercial director, author, and website producer. Dash received her MFA in 1985 at the UCLA Film School and is one of the graduates and filmmakers known as the L.A. Rebellion. The L.A. Rebellion refers to the first African and African-American students who studied film at UCLA. Through their collective efforts, they sought to put an end to the prejudices of Hollywood by creating experimental and unconventional films. The main goal of these films was to create original Black stories and bring them to the main screens. After Dash had written and directed several shorts, her 1991 feature Daughters of the Dust became the first full-length film directed by an African-American woman to obtain general theatrical release in the United States. In 2004, Daughters of the Dust was named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its "cultural, historical and aesthetic significance". Stemming from the film's success, Dash also released novels of the same title in 1992 and 1999. The film was later a key inspiration for Beyoncé's 2016 album Lemonade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mia Farrow</span> American actress (born 1945)

Maria de Lourdes Villiers "Mia" Farrow is an American actress and activist. She first gained notice for her role as Allison MacKenzie in the television soap opera Peyton Place and gained further recognition for her subsequent short-lived marriage to Frank Sinatra. An early film role, as Rosemary in Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby (1968), saw her nominated for a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She went on to appear in several films throughout the 1970s, such as Follow Me! (1972), The Great Gatsby (1974), and Death on the Nile (1978). Her younger sister is Prudence Farrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ione Skye</span> British-American actress (born 1970)

Ione Skye Lee is a British-American actress and the daughter of singer Donovan. She made her film debut in the thriller River's Edge (1986) before gaining mainstream exposure for her starring role in Cameron Crowe's Say Anything... (1989). She continued to appear in films throughout the 1990s, with notable roles in Gas Food Lodging (1992), Wayne's World (1992) and One Night Stand (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Chen</span> Chinese-American actress and director

Joan Chen is a Chinese-American actress and film director. In China, she starred in the 1979 film Little Flower and came to the attention of American audiences for her performance in the 1987 film The Last Emperor, which won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. She is also known for her roles in Twin Peaks, Red Rose White Rose, Saving Face and The Home Song Stories, and for directing the feature film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna May Wong</span> American actress (1905–1961)

Wong Liu Tsong, known professionally as Anna May Wong, was an American actress, considered the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, as well as the first Chinese American actress to gain international recognition. Her varied career spanned silent film, sound film, television, stage, and radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Kwan</span> Chinese-American actress (born 1939)

Nancy Kwan Ka-shen is a Chinese-American actress. In addition to her personality and looks, her career benefited from Hollywood's casting of more Asian roles in the 1960s, especially in comedies. She was considered an Eastern sex symbol in the 1960s.

<i>First Daughter</i> (2004 film) 2004 American film

First Daughter is a 2004 American romantic comedy-drama film released by 20th Century Fox. It stars Katie Holmes as Samantha MacKenzie, daughter of the President of the United States, who enrolls at college and develops a relationship with another student. The film follows Samantha as she experiences a new sense of freedom during her time away from the White House, and the advantages and disadvantages of her college life. It co-stars Michael Keaton as the President of the United States and Amerie as Samantha's roommate, Mia Thompson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catalina Sandino Moreno</span> Colombian actress (born 1981)

Catalina Sandino Moreno is a Colombian actress, most notable for receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as sharing the Silver Bear with Charlize Theron, for her performance as lead role in Maria Full of Grace (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Wu</span> American film director and screenwriter

Alice Wu is an American film director and screenwriter, known for her films Saving Face (2004) and The Half of It (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Holmes</span> American actress (born 1978)

Kate Noelle Holmes is an American actress. She first achieved fame as Joey Potter on the television series Dawson's Creek (1998–2003).

Portrayals of East Asians in American film and theatre has been a subject of controversy. These portrayals have frequently reflected an ethnocentric perception of East Asians rather than realistic and authentic depictions of East Asian cultures, colors, customs, and behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Kijak</span> American filmmaker

Stephen Kijak is an American film director. He is known for films about music and musicians, most notably the feature documentaries Scott Walker – 30 Century Man (2006), Stones in Exile (2010), We Are X (2016), If I Leave Here Tomorrow (2018), and Sid & Judy (2019). His collaborators and subjects include such musical legends and icons as David Bowie, Scott Walker, The Rolling Stones, Jaco Pastorius, Rob Trujillo, Backstreet Boys, X Japan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judy Garland, and The Smiths.

<i>Daughter of Shanghai</i> 1937 film by Robert Florey

Daughter of Shanghai is a 1937 American crime film directed by Robert Florey and starring Anna May Wong, Charles Bickford and Buster Crabbe. Unusually for the time, East Asian American actors played the lead roles. It was also one of the first films in which Anthony Quinn appeared. In 2006, Daughter of Shanghai was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures to be added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Georgia Lee is an American writer and director known for her 2006 film Red Doors. Lee has also written and directed episodes of The Expanse and The 100. She has also developed and serves as the showrunner for the Netflix series Partner Track based on the novel of the same name by Helen Wan.

Elaine Kao is a Taiwanese-American theatre, television and film actress, best known for her roles in Bridesmaids (2011), Funny People (2009) and Red Doors (2005).

Mia Riverton is an American film actress and producer, best known for her role in the 2005 film Red Doors.

<i>Falling for Grace</i> 2006 American film

Falling for Grace is a 2006 romantic comedy film directed by Asian-American Fay Ann Lee, who also co-wrote the film with Karen Rousso, and stars alongside Gale Harold. It debuted at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. New York magazine called the film one of the two best entries in the "New York, New York" competition that year.

<i>Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench</i> 2009 American film

Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench is a 2009 American romantic musical film directed, written, produced, shot, and co-edited by Damien Chazelle in his feature directorial debut. The film is an independent film shot in black-and-white in which the MGM musical tradition is reimagined in a gritty, vérité style. It stars Jason Palmer, Desiree Garcia and Sandha Khin. The film features a unique mixture of live jazz performances and choreographed tap dancing, as well as several more traditional musical numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Mason</span> American artist

Rachel Mason is an American filmmaker whose work includes performance art, music, films and multimedia projects.

<i>The Half of It</i> 2020 film by Alice Wu

The Half of It is a 2020 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Alice Wu. It stars Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, and Alexxis Lemire, with Enrique Murciano, Wolfgang Novogratz, Catherine Curtin, Becky Ann Baker, and Collin Chou in supporting roles. It is loosely inspired by Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, and follows a Chinese-American student helping the school jock woo a girl whom, secretly, they both desire.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Brooks, Brian (September 7, 2006). "indieWIRE INTERVIEW: Georgia Lee, director of "Red Doors"". IndieWire . Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Holden, Stephen (September 8, 2006). "Cultural and Generational Clashes, Played Out for Laughs in the Suburbs". The New York Times . Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Linden, Sheri (September 2, 2005). "Red Doors". The Hollywood Reporter . No. 390.
  4. 1 2 3 Hu, Brian (March 30, 2006). "SFIAAFF Interview with Georgia Lee: Noise from the Cusp". UCLA International Institute. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  5. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (May 17, 2005). "Review: Red Doors". Variety .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Heiter, Celeste (August 14, 2006). "The Women Behind Red Doors: An Interview with Filmmakers Georgia Lee, Jane Chen, and Mia Riverston". ThingsAsian. Retrieved August 14, 2006.
  7. 1 2 3 Lin, Diana. "An Interview with Georgia Lee". vconline.org. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005.
  8. 1 2 "Interview with Georgia Lee: Director of the new film "Red Doors"". kimchimamas. September 18, 2006.
  9. ↑ "Interview with Georgia Lee". YouTube. September 4, 2006. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Red Doors". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ Adams, Thelma (September 18, 2006). "Red Doors". Us Weekly . No. 605. ProQuest   236470587.
  12. ↑ Weitzman, Elizabeth (September 8, 2006). "Red Doors". New York Daily News . Archived from the original on November 14, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ Burr, Ty (January 14, 2007). "Red Doors". Boston Globe . Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 "Red Doors | Press". red doors the movie. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Red Doors Wins at Tribeca". The Edit Center. May 2, 2005. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.