Film Festival program (March 10-20, 2005)
by Oliver Wang
of the ways Frank Chin has been described. For
three decades now, Chin has distinguished himself
through rich, imaginative writings and controversial
critiques on the state of Asian American culture.
This new documentary by Curtis Choy (FALL OF
THE I-HOTEL, SFIAAFF '83) captures Chin in all his
full complexity and contradictions, unflinchingly
displaying both his literary accomplishments and his
personal controversies. Choy profiles Chin's many
accomplishments, from publishing the groundbreak-
ing Asian American literature anthology AIIIEEEEE!
to founding the annual Day of Remembrance
memorials. However, Choy is equally devoted to
examining the more contentious parts of Chin's life.
The film recounts the public battle between Chin
and Maxine Hong Kingston, letter by letter, blow for
blow, neither coddling nor condemning either
author's position. Choy builds a portrait of Chin in
full, unflinching detail, leaving it to the audience to
draw their own conclusions about the man's legacy.
Adding nuance are commentaries by luminaries
such as poet Lawson Fusao Inada, bookseller
David Ishii and professor Elaine Kim. Ultimately,
however, it's Choy's impromptu interviews with Chin
that offer the most provocative insights into the
man. The author's outspokenness may be legend,
yet he remains an enigma to most.
