The Search for General Tso

Last updated
The Search for General Tso
The Search for General Tso poster.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Ian Cheney
Produced by
Cinematography
  • Ian Cheney
  • Taylor Gentry
Edited byFrederick Shanahan
Music by
  • Ben Fries
  • Simon Beins
Production
company
Wicked Delicate Films
Distributed by Sundance Selects
Release date
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Search for General Tso is a documentary film that premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. It was directed by Ian Cheney and produced by Amanda Murray and Jennifer 8. Lee. [1] Sundance Selects acquired it in December 2014, and it was released January 2, 2015, in theaters and on demand. [2]

Contents

Synopsis

The film begins by exploring theories about General Tso. It then shifts focus to China, [3] where few recognize the eponymous dish. [4] The film then traces Tso's real-life history in the Qing Dynasty as well as the history of Chinese immigration to the United States. [1] Interviewed are a number of notable figures in Chinese-American cuisine, such as Cecilia Chiang of the Mandarin, a world record-holder for restaurant menus [5] and Chef Peng Chang-kuei, who claims to have invented the dish in Taiwan. [3]

Development

Around 2004, Cheney and his best friend were driving across America when they stopped at a Chinese restaurant "with red booths and neon signs" and ordered General Tso's chicken. The experience prompted them to investigate the history of Chinese food in America. [6]

In 2008, Lee wrote a book about the history of Chinese food in the United States and around the world, titled The Fortune Cookie Chronicles , [7] documenting the process on her blog. She reported the unlikely, but true, story of how a batch of fortune cookies created 110 Powerball lottery winners. [8] To the surprise of many non-Chinese readers, she reported that fortune cookies are found in many countries but not China and that fortune cookies may have originated in Japan. [9] [10] Warner Books editor Jonathan Karp struck a deal with Lee to write a book about "how Chinese food is more all-American than apple pie". [11] She appeared on The Colbert Report to promote the book. [12] The book was #26 on The New York Times Best Seller list. [13]

The book research is the basis of Lee's documentary collaboration with Cheney. In addition to premiering at Tribeca, the film played at the Seattle International Film Festival [14] AFI Docs, [15] and the Independent Film Festival of Boston. [16]

Critical reception

Film reviews were generally positive, with critics finding the premise amusing and the conclusion thought-provoking. Scott Foundas of Variety called it "a finger-lickin' good foodie docu" and John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter predicted, "Festival auds should eat it up." [1] [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Chinese cuisine</span> Chinese cuisine developed by Chinese Americans

American Chinese cuisine is a cuisine derived from Chinese cuisine that was developed by Chinese Americans. The dishes served in many North American Chinese restaurants are adapted to American tastes and often differ significantly from those found in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortune cookie</span> Cookie with printed paper fortune inside

A fortune cookie is a crisp and sugary cookie wafer made from flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame seed oil with a piece of paper inside, a "fortune", an aphorism, or a vague prophecy. The message inside may also include a Chinese phrase with translation and/or a list of lucky numbers used by some as lottery numbers. Fortune cookies are often served as a dessert in Chinese restaurants in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries, but they are not Chinese in origin. The exact origin of fortune cookies is unclear, though various immigrant groups in California claim to have popularized them in the early 20th century. They most likely originated from cookies made by Japanese immigrants to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. The Japanese version did not have the Chinese lucky numbers and were eaten with tea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer 8. Lee</span> Chinese-American businessperson and former journalist

Jennifer 8. Lee is an American journalist who previously worked for The New York Times. She is the co-founder and president of the literary studio Plympton and a producer of The Search for General Tso, which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Tso's chicken</span> Deep-fried chicken dish

General Tso's chicken is a sweet and spicy deep-fried chicken dish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange chicken</span> Chinese chicken dish of U.S. origin

Orange chicken is an American Chinese dish of fried chicken in a sweet orange-flavored chili sauce glaze.

Miguel Arteta is a Puerto Rican director of film and television, known for his independent film Chuck & Buck (2000), for which he received the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award, and for the films The Good Girl (2002) and Cedar Rapids (2011).

Makoto Hagiwara was a Japanese-born American landscape designer responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, from 1895 until his death in 1925. Hagiwara is often credited with the invention of the fortune cookie in California.

<i>Street Fight</i> (film) 2005 American film

Street Fight is a 2005 documentary film by Marshall Curry, chronicling the 2002 Newark mayoral election which pitted upstart Cory Booker against the incumbent Sharpe James for Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Other credits include Rory Kennedy, Liz Garbus, Mary Manhardt, Marisa Karplus, Catherine Jones, and Adam Etline. Street Fight screened at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival and was later aired on the PBS series P.O.V. on July 5, 2005, and CBC Newsworld in Canada on May 7, 2006. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Gibney</span> American film director and producer (born 1953)

Philip Alexander Gibney is an American documentary film director and producer. In 2010, Esquire magazine said Gibney "is becoming the most important documentarian of our time."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall Curry</span> American film director (born 1970)

Marshall Curry is an American documentary director, producer, cinematographer and editor. His films include Street Fight, Racing Dreams, If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, Point and Shoot, and A Night at the Garden. His first fiction film was the Academy Award-winning short film The Neighbors' Window (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy Fortune Cookies</span>

Fancy Fortune Cookies is a company, founded by Mike L. Fry in 1988, that produces custom fortune cookies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Cheney</span> American filmmaker

Ian Cheney is an American documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Ellis</span> American filmmaker

Curtis Cleland 'Curt' Ellis is an American filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable agriculture and healthy food. He serves as co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization FoodCorps. He shared a Peabody Award in 2008 for King Corn, which he co-produced and starred in, and in 2011 he won the 17th Annual Heinz Award with longtime collaborator Ian Cheney for their work in the sustainable food movement.

Jennifer Prediger is New York City–based actress, writer, and director known for the films Uncle Kent (2011), Red Flag (2012), and Apartment Troubles (2014)—her directorial debut with collaborator Jess Weixler. Prediger also played and wrote Ask Umbra, the "world's most trusted eco advice columnist," on Grist.org.

Hong Kong Noodle Company is a manufacturer of Chinese noodles, wonton skins, and egg roll wrappers in Los Angeles, United States. It was founded in 1913 by Canton native David Jung, who had immigrated to Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Phang</span> American filmmaker

Jennifer Phang is an American filmmaker, most known for her feature films Advantageous (2015) and Half-Life (2008). Advantageous premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, winning a Special Jury Award for Collaborative Vision, and was based on her award-winning short film of the same name. Half-Life premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and won "Best Film" awards at a number of film festivals including the Gen Art Film Festival, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival as well an "Emerging Director Award" at the Asian American International Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Richter</span> American creative director and designer

Zach Richter is an American director, creative director and designer, best known for his work in virtual reality and interactive media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Pictures</span> American film distribution company

Giant Pictures is an American independent film distribution company founded by Nick Savva and Jeff Stabenau with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. The company releases feature films, documentaries and series on streaming platforms, with an emphasis on flexibility and customization for filmmakers. Giant Pictures owns and operates specialty theatrical label, Drafthouse Films. Giant is the distribution and technology partner of the Tribeca Festival.

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food is a 2008 non-fiction book by Jennifer 8. Lee, published by Hachette/Twelve. It discusses the significance of Chinese American cuisine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 DeFore, John. "'The Search for General Tso': SIFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter .
  2. The Deadline Team (10 December 2014). "Sundance Selects Nabs 'General Tso'; Warner Bros Shifts 'Pan' Release, Titles Horror Pic, More". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 Stern, Marlow (19 April 2014). "'The Search for General Tso': The Origins of America's Favorite Chinese Dish, General Tso's Chicken". The Daily Beast.
  4. DeJesus, Erin (10 April 2014). "Watch a Trailer for The Search for General Tso". Eater.
  5. 1 2 Foundas, Scott (23 April 2014). "Tribeca Film Review: 'The Search for General Tso'". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  6. Marsh, Lisa. "The Truth About Your Chinese Food: The Search For General Tso Premieres At The Tribeca Film Festival". Epicurious. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  7. Lee, Jennifer 8. (2008). The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. New York: Twelve Books. ISBN   978-0-446-69897-9. OCLC   225870250.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Jennifer 8. Lee (May 11, 2005). "Who Needs Giacomo? Bet on the Fortune Cookie". The New York Times .{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. Jennifer 8. Lee (January 16, 2008). "Solving a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside a Cookie". The New York Times .{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. 8. Lee, Jennifer (January 16, 2008). "Fortune Cookies are really from Japan". The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. "Jennifer 8. Lee Attracts Americans with Chinese Food" Archived 2008-10-17 at the Wayback Machine , October 13, 2008. Source: Xinhua/Translated by womenofchina.cn
  12. "Jennifer 8. Lee on The Colbert Report on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008"
  13. "Best Sellers, Hardcover Nonfiction, March 30, 2008"
  14. "Festival 2014: The Search for General Tso". Seattle International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014.
  15. "AFI Docs - The Search for General Tso". afi.com.
  16. "Independent Film Festival of Boston". iffboston.com.