Chan is Missing

1982

Chinatown, San Francisco

Wayne Wang

Mystery Comedy Drama

What’s it all about: “I guess I’m not Chinese enough. I can’t accept a mystery without a solution.” Wood Moy and Marc Hayashi take us deep beyond the dumplings into the complexities of Chinatown to find a missing friend who has their money.

First Encounter: first viewing

Prostitute Index: nil

Death By: assimilation

Relics: old-can budweiser, “jive” and other streets of sf slang, dot matrix address labels, mork-and-mindy ski-vest style

Heartthrob: Marc Hayashi

LoFi Magic: Wood Moy’s cutaway reaction shots; paranoia montage; curious people stopping in frame to watch the filming; $20,000 production budget 

Makes me want to: look in a puddle

Candotti take: n/a

Worth a watch/rewatch: Yes

#chinatown #waynewang #indiefilm #deep80s #filmnoir #sanfrancisco #dryhumor #wonton #notnow #marchayashi #woodmoy #charliechan #blackandwhite #narration #cinemaverite #asianamerican #criterioncollection #husbandotti #filmfest #unseenhorses

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