A poignant family story in an era of widespread racism, this film gives insight into the Asian American experience and the trauma of internment.

The latest film from Academy Award-nominated director Christine Choy (Who Killed Vincent Chin) tells the fascinating story of Larry and Trudie Long, a popular husband-and-wife nightclub act of the 1940s and ‘50s. Narrated by their daughter, actress Jodi Long, the film traces the couple’s rise from the Chinatown nightclub circuit to a coveted appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Known as “The Leungs,” they performed a mix of tap dancing, witty repartee, and “Chinaman” caricatures that both play to and undermine the racist attitudes of the day. In reality, Trudie Long, born Kimiye Tsunemitsu, was of Japanese descent, a background that makes her the target of discrimination during the war.

Because limited opportunities for Asian Americans exist on Broadway, Larry mourns the loss of a lead role in the original production of Flower Drum Song, a musical about a Chinese refugee. Although he goes on to perform in the show’s traveling company, his career never fully recovers. However, the family finds redemption when Jodi appears on Broadway in the musical’s revival, rewritten by Chinese American playwright David Henry Hwang.

"Recommended. . . This bittersweet memoir [offers[ an entertaining as well as informative eyewitness history of Asian Americans in US show business."
‒Educational Media Reviews Online

Jury Citation, 29th Black Maria Film + Video Festival, 2010
Hon. Men. and Audience Award, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, 2008
UCLA's Asia Institute's Best Asian American Films of 2008
San Francisco Asian American International Film Festival, 2008
New York Asian Pacific Film Festival, 2008
Washington, D.C. Asian Pacific Film Festival, 2008
Austin Asian American Film Festival, 2008
Hawaii International Film Festival, 2008
Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, 2008
Vilcek Foundation's "American Immigrant Filmmakers on Profile", 2008