Description
In Person: Alice Wu, director, in conversation with Shari Frilot, chief curator, New Frontier program, Sundance Film Festival
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In celebration of WorldPride DC 2025, we present a special screening of Alice Wu’s debut feature. Originally released in 2005, Saving Face is now regarded as an ahead-of-its-time landmark in queer and Asian American cinema.
This romantic comedy tells the story of Wilhelmina “Wil” Pang (Michelle Krusiec), a closeted surgeon who falls for Vivian (Lynn Chen), a charismatic ballet dancer she meets by chance. But tensions rise when Vivian insists on making their relationship public. Meanwhile, Wil’s forty-something widowed mother (Joan Chen) moves in with her after revealing she is pregnant but refusing to name the father. Wil resolves to fix her up with a new beau before the baby is born.
An emotional rollercoaster, Saving Face hits all its marks as a delightful rom-com and has influenced countless movies since its release. After the film, Wu will be in conversation with Shari Frilot, who originally selected the film for the Sundance Film Festival.
This screening is copresented with the Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition (QTAPI), in partnership with Asian and Pacific Islander Queers United for Action (AQUA DC), Capital Pride Alliance, the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs (MOLGBTQA), and the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) as part of WorldPride 2025.
(Dir.: Alice Wu, United States, 2005, 91 min., 35mm, English, Mandarin, and Shanghainese with English subtitles)
Bank of America is the Founding Sponsor of the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art “IlluminAsia” Arts and Culture Festival.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Cost
Free. Register in advance (recommended)
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Accessibility & Accommodations
Assisted listening devices, Wheelchair accessible
