23rd New York Asian Film Festival

July 12-28, 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Strand Releasing

Special Screening

Front Cover

In this evocative tale of love, identity, and cultural collision, director Ray Yeung invites us into the world of Ryan Fu (Jake Choi), a gay Chinese American fashion stylist who has spent a lifetime evading his heritage. When tasked with styling Ning (James Chen), a seemingly straight actor from Beijing, Ryan is forced to confront the roots he has sought to escape. Their journey through the fashion world and cultural differences uncovers an unsuspected but profound connection. When Ning's sexuality is threatened by a Chinese tabloid, Ryan faces a heart-wrenching choice between love and his hard-won identity.

The film beautifully captures the immigrant experience's nuances with tender performances and insightful direction. It explores the struggle for authenticity in a world demanding conformity. Yeung's storytelling skillfully weaves themes of love and acceptance that linger on long after the final frame fades to black.

Director: Ray Yeung
Cast: Jake Choi, James Chen, Elizabeth Sung, Jennifer Neala Page, Li Jun Li
Languages: English and Chinese with English Subtitles
2015; 87 min.

SCHEDULE:

Thursday July 18, 6:00pm
Film at Lincoln Center

Intro and Q&A with director Ray Yeung, actors Jake Choi and James Chen

photo credit: Amanda Ramon
Jake Choi

Korean American actor Jake Choi appeared in the independent feature Please Baby Please, which premiered as the Opening Night film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in 2022. He has also starred in the LGBTQ+ indie The Mattachine Family, which premiered at Outfest, and action-adventure film R.I.P.D. 2, as well as The Sun Is also a Star. He is also active on TV, appearing in Single Parents, American Housewife, The Magician and FBI: Most Wanted. His first lead film role was in Ray Yeung’s 2015 Front Cover. In 2019, he received an HRC Visibility Award for his outspokenness with regard to LGBTQ+ issues and his own coming-out as “sexually fluid.” Chen will soon be seen in the indie dark-comedy The Late Night Creep.

James Chen

James Chen just wrapped his sixth season on the TV series FBI, recently appeared on The Mandalorian and enjoyed a great arc on Apple TV+ show Dear Edward. Other fan-favorite roles include Kal on world-wide sensation The Walking Dead, and CSU Detective Adrian Sung on Law & Order: SVU. He has also appeared on Run the World, Iron Fist, Seven Seconds, and 9-1-1, among others. Chen has also had roles in The Amazing Spiderman, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Labor Day, and We Need to Talk About Kevin. His award-winning performance in Ray Yeung’s indie darling Front Cover has enjoyed several Netflix runs. He will soon be seen in the upcoming Rosemead and One Stupid Thing.