Plot

After working in Hong Kong television, Wayne Wang shot this low-budget 16mm black-and-white feature on the streets of San Francisco's Chinatown. CHAN IS MISSING follows the lives of two Chinese cabdrivers, Jo (Wood Moy), a middle-aged man, and Steve (Marc Hayashi), his young partner. Although both are American-born, there is a definite generation gap in their attitudes toward how to achieve an authentic ethnic identity, both inside and outside of Chinatown. The meandering story starts when Chan Hung, a recent immigrant from Taiwan, disappears with $4,000 they gave him to secure a cab license for them. Their attempt to find him, complete with the inevitable Charlie Chan jokes, leads them into a complex world of international politics and domestic conflicts. This is a fascinating glimpse of the world of ABCs (American-born Chinese) and FOBs (fresh off the boat) and their allegiance to either Taiwan or Mainland China. Steve and Jo trace Chan's life back from a car accident that may have caused his disappearance to a mysterious missing photograph of a murder at the New Year's Day parade. Through all this Jo provides a voice-over that, ironically, explains that he has no idea what's going on. But as he tries to piece the mystery together, this wry amateur detective provides an incisive look at the cultural conflicts facing Chinese-Americans.

Reviews:
"...Funny and fast moving, [it] crackles with the excitement of a new director tackling a new, exciting subject..." -Sean French - Sight & Sound
"...Aside from having some good ideas on his mind, Wayne Wang displays a flair for eliciting naturalistic performances..." -Variety
"...a matchless delight." -New York Times
"[a] whimsical treasure of a film..." -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

Related Links

• IMDb Page
• Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
• Variety

Customer Comments

• Reviewer: anonymous on 17-Jun-2006

  Fantastic film! I wasnt' sure if I should download it. But after checking out the Roger Ebert review and seeing its "100% Fresh" Rotten Tomatoes rating, I bought it. I was not let down.

• Reviewer: anonymous on 25-Jul-2006

  Chan is Missing is a deeply fascinating movie about two men searching for a business partner in Los Angeles china town. However their search brings up more questions than answers, every one tells a different story of Chan’s personality and demeanor. Also through their searches a window to Chinese culture in china town is opened to the audience as the characters converse about the hardships of assimilation to America society and their search for independence, as well as commentary on the local politics of china town. The commentary on the differences between Chinese and American cultures and way of thought is very thought provoking and powerful. The comedy in this film (it is described as a comedy, crime) is very subtle and integrated into the film seamlessly so that it is easy to miss but very natural feeling. This movie might be a little slow for some but is extremely well done and would be enjoyed by most, especially those with an interest in American Chinese culture or cultural adaptation.

• Reviewer: anonymous on 02-Aug-2006

  Chan is Missing is a very different and interesting film. The charachters are very real and the movie does a great job of delving into the consiousness of American-born Chinese (or "ABCs"), as well as the contrasts between ABCs and Chinese imigrants. I grew to like the charachters a lot and even laughed a few times. It does, however, move a little slowly at times. But a great movie all the same.

• Reviewer: anonymous on 07-Aug-2006

  In just 80 minutes this film provides an interesting glimpse into the lives of Chinese-Americans in San Fransico's Chinatown during the 1980s. Some strive to assimilate into the culture of the US -- and face challenges thereafter; other characters choose to proudly maintain their unique heritage. Regardless of where they are on their journey into American society, the two main characters commit to hunting down their buddy, Chan, who has mysteriously disappeared. With only the smallest of clues to go on, the two keep up their search while meeting, and also allowing viewers to meet, curious residents in the gritty streets and walk-ups of Chinatown.

Additional Information

• Country: United States
• Language: Cantonese, English, English Subtitles
• Format: NTSC
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (standard TV)
• Color: Black & White
• Sound: Dolby Digital