Just saw this documentary "My Life in China" (www.mylifeinchina.org) and I cannot express how moved I was. I emailed a bunch of people after seeing a post on FB about it. But only my partner in crime Helen was able to go. I even got a ticket for my Dad but he bailed at the last minute. Luckily tickets for seniors were free....
If you're reading this, please please please make a point to see this film! Reasons you should watch it - your family originated from Toisan and are immigrants, you were bullied growing up and tried really hard to fit in and be "American", you didn't want to identify with your own heritage, you grew up in Castle Square and am interested in hearing stories of what our elders went through in order to give their family what they perceived as a better life.
I'm not sure I can do justice in trying to summarize the film because there are so many stories intertwined in this film but here goes....and tell me if you can relate to any of these snippets from the film.
If you're reading this, please please please make a point to see this film! Reasons you should watch it - your family originated from Toisan and are immigrants, you were bullied growing up and tried really hard to fit in and be "American", you didn't want to identify with your own heritage, you grew up in Castle Square and am interested in hearing stories of what our elders went through in order to give their family what they perceived as a better life.
I'm not sure I can do justice in trying to summarize the film because there are so many stories intertwined in this film but here goes....and tell me if you can relate to any of these snippets from the film.
- The director Kenneth Eng grew up in Castle Square (I also grew up here), went to Boston Latin and then to NY to study film making.
- While growing up, his father would tell him stories about how he made his way from China to Macau and then Hong Kong in 1966 and eventually made his way to Boston. My Dad said it was really bad in China at that time - many people died trying to leave China. I was born in 1964 so my family was already here.
- His father attended 3 years of University in China yet had to work as a cook in a Chinese restaurant after coming here. As many other men who came from China despite being educated or was skilled in other professions.
- Mother suffered from mental illness so father had to take care of her.
- In 2008, Kenneth went back China with his father to film and backtrack the journey his father made in 1966 to escape starvation in China. Their interactions with family Kenneth never met reminded me of how welcoming and friendly my HK family is.
- Ironically, the family his father left behind in China are now thriving and are very successful. While Kenneth's family restaurant went bankrupt so his father felt like he failed at the American dream.
- One of the reasons for the trip back to China was see if there was a possibility of moving back with his wife and seeking treatment for her. But he quickly realized the family house in Toisan was inhabitable and he would prefer to go back to America.
- Heartbreaking, hard to watch and tear-worthy:
- Father's recollection of his own mother and how she kept her family from starving.
- Father breaking down and talking about how he could've divorced and left his wife but wanted his sons to have a mother and father.
- When his father realized it was fruitless to think about moving back to China.
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