Post by NZBC on Aug 9, 2007 21:46:46 GMT 12
Chinese New Zealand Doco- Banana in a Nutshell
By Rachel Blundell
Roseanne Liang should be proud. Screening to sell-out crowds at the International Film Festival and Newmarket¡¯s Rialto cinema and with news her documentary is being made into a fictional feature film, the director of New Zealand Chinese film Banana in a Nutshell should well be proud.
This is director Roseanne Liang¡¯s first film and her story goes a long way towards opening many eyes to the ethnocentrism prevalent in Auckland; shedding light on how an immigrant family has adjusted to life in New Zealand. The cultural disparity between New Zealand and China is exemplified through self-confessional narratives and interviews with her family members about her untraditional choice of a Pakeha New Zealander husband.
Liang¡¯s dilemma lies in needing a traditional blessing from her parents before any wedding can happen while they can¡¯t understand or support her decision. The emotionally troubling process of Roseanne and Stephen getting her parents¡¯ blessing pulls on audience heartstrings. Tickets to the documentary sold out at the international film festival last year and it¡¯s little wonder why. The directorial debut has nothing amateur to it, looking like a documentary from a much more seasoned production team.
I did have a few questions. Why does she do it? What compels a person to ¡®spill her guts¡¯ on screen? For Liang, the answer is much more personal rather than artistically inspired, answering in one of her close-up confessionals, ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m hoping they¡¯ll (her parents) see this and understand.¡±
I have to agree that Liang does ¡®have it hard¡¯, as a kiwi would say. While every other girl in Auckland is working to find the perfect guy, Liang is teaching hers Mandarin (which she herself does not speak fluently) so he can ask her father (who speaks perfect English) permission to marry her. I must say I have to hand it to her Stephen. What other guy (or ¡®nerd¡¯, as Liang affectionately refers to him) would go through all that just to get married. A special sort, it seems!
All¡¯s well that ends well though. The camera captures all the pivotal moments, with an undeniable tightening of tension along the way; will she or won¡¯t she be able to marry her sweetheart? I did find myself frozen in the chair waiting for the grand decision.
Perhaps some of the most touching moments of the film are the most wrenching. When her sister¡¯s Pakeha partner dies, her parents comment, ¡°Well next time you can find a nice Chinese boy.¡±
And Liang¡¯s tips on love? ¡°The leisurely breakfasts in the morning after you stay the night.¡± Ah, what the fortunate take for granted.
Look out for the DVD documentary in June/July and more news about the feature film on her blog at www.banana-film.com
Breaking News: Banana in a Nutshell moves to the Academy Cinema in Lorne Street Auckland Central from Thursday 23 March. Go see it!
By Rachel Blundell
Roseanne Liang should be proud. Screening to sell-out crowds at the International Film Festival and Newmarket¡¯s Rialto cinema and with news her documentary is being made into a fictional feature film, the director of New Zealand Chinese film Banana in a Nutshell should well be proud.
This is director Roseanne Liang¡¯s first film and her story goes a long way towards opening many eyes to the ethnocentrism prevalent in Auckland; shedding light on how an immigrant family has adjusted to life in New Zealand. The cultural disparity between New Zealand and China is exemplified through self-confessional narratives and interviews with her family members about her untraditional choice of a Pakeha New Zealander husband.
Liang¡¯s dilemma lies in needing a traditional blessing from her parents before any wedding can happen while they can¡¯t understand or support her decision. The emotionally troubling process of Roseanne and Stephen getting her parents¡¯ blessing pulls on audience heartstrings. Tickets to the documentary sold out at the international film festival last year and it¡¯s little wonder why. The directorial debut has nothing amateur to it, looking like a documentary from a much more seasoned production team.
I did have a few questions. Why does she do it? What compels a person to ¡®spill her guts¡¯ on screen? For Liang, the answer is much more personal rather than artistically inspired, answering in one of her close-up confessionals, ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m hoping they¡¯ll (her parents) see this and understand.¡±
I have to agree that Liang does ¡®have it hard¡¯, as a kiwi would say. While every other girl in Auckland is working to find the perfect guy, Liang is teaching hers Mandarin (which she herself does not speak fluently) so he can ask her father (who speaks perfect English) permission to marry her. I must say I have to hand it to her Stephen. What other guy (or ¡®nerd¡¯, as Liang affectionately refers to him) would go through all that just to get married. A special sort, it seems!
All¡¯s well that ends well though. The camera captures all the pivotal moments, with an undeniable tightening of tension along the way; will she or won¡¯t she be able to marry her sweetheart? I did find myself frozen in the chair waiting for the grand decision.
Perhaps some of the most touching moments of the film are the most wrenching. When her sister¡¯s Pakeha partner dies, her parents comment, ¡°Well next time you can find a nice Chinese boy.¡±
And Liang¡¯s tips on love? ¡°The leisurely breakfasts in the morning after you stay the night.¡± Ah, what the fortunate take for granted.
Look out for the DVD documentary in June/July and more news about the feature film on her blog at www.banana-film.com
Breaking News: Banana in a Nutshell moves to the Academy Cinema in Lorne Street Auckland Central from Thursday 23 March. Go see it!