Two Lies
| Two Lies | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Pamela Tom |
| Produced by | Pamela Tom |
| Written by | Pamela Tom |
| Starring |
Dian Kobayashi Sala Iwamatsu Marie Nakano |
| Music by | James Leary |
| Edited by | Pamela Tom |
| Distributed by | Women Make Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 25 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Two Lies is a 1990 short film directed, produced and written by Pamela Tom. The film was shot in black and white and discusses issues like identity, Orientalism, and Blepharoplasty.
Plot
The plot of the film focuses on the life of a Chinese American family who struggles with identity. The mother, Doris Chu, has undergone blepharoplasty, or "double eyelid" surgery, and the oldest of two daughters, Mei, has trouble understanding her mother's actions. From her perspective, her mother's two new eyes are equivalent to two lies. On a trip to Cabot's Pueblo Museum off a dusty highway in Southern California, a series of confrontations occur and Mei finally realizes her mother's reasoning. Between the conflicts of Chinese tradition and American ways, the family tries to adapt to their new life in Southern California.
"Fresh, contemporary. The sharp sense of cultural disorientation depends on Tom's atmospheric style. Clearly the work of a filmmaker who is fearless."
- Caryn James
- New York Times
Cast
- Dian Kobayashi - Doris Chu (mother)
- Sala Iwamatsu - Mei Chu (oldest daughter)
- Marie Nakano - Esther Chu (youngest daughter)
Extended Cast
- Joe Marinalli - Nick
- William Merzenich - Pueblo Tour Guide
- Bob McCarthy - Martin
- Melba Yale - Accordion Teacher
- Walter Looell, Jr - Teenage Boy at Pool
- Carolyn Stanek - Little Girl in Pool
Awards, Festivals, & Screenings
- New Directors/New Films Festival
- Hawaii International Film Festival
- USA Film Festival
- NY Asian American Int'l Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival
- The Smithsonian Institution
External links
"Two Lies". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
References
Kleid, Beth (June 9, 1990). "Nary a Buddy Cop or Car Chase in UCLA Vision 1990 Festival : Movies: Student filmmakers show a willingness to go against the Hollywood grain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
Wang, Lee Ann (2010). "Films for the Feminist Classroom". Signs. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
"Two Lies". Women Make Movies. Retrieved 29 April 2013.