Front Cover

I've seen many depictions of the challenges of Asian American identity --in film, dance, theatre and even in a musical. Often it's a tall order to expect a thought-provoking blend of humor, believable dialogue, strong characters, a great story and a fresh approach. Front Cover, which I viewed during its world premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, fulfills all of that for me.

Since the story takes place against the backdrop of the fashion industry in New York City, you will have to endure the requisite diva tantrums and photo-shoot dramas in the opening scenes. Once past those caricatures, you'll be rewarded by a story with a recognizable emotional cadence, yet with surprising twists and turns.

What I cheered most about was the depiction of the range of Asian masculinity and emotions. American actors Jake Choi and James Chen do a fantastic job--of traveling a journey of wariness, rejection, willingness, trust, intimacy and vulnerability--as the two main characters who in the end are faced, as movie characters always are, with difficult choices to make. The actions they choose render a story that will resonate for nearly anyone.

The moment I saw this movie listed as an entry for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival I knew that come hell or high water I had to see this movie. It promised me something pretty awesome (a movie about a gay Chinese-American guy and his relationship with his racial identity and sexuality while also showing a relationship between him and a Chinese guy?! I'm in!) and then offered up a movie that surprised me by how it was even better (and deeply bittersweet!) than I expected.

I immediately recognized a lot of my younger self in Ryan and could remember how I was always so insistent on pointing out my Aussie-born differences whenever everyone and their granny would act like I was a new immigrant and was automatically related to complete strangers so while I was definitely cringing at Ryan's reaction to Ning in the start it was from the recognition and embarrassment of my own not-so-nice behaviour in the past. Ning was interesting in how as the movie progresses you see him alongside Ryan in a far more nuanced and compassionate eye. He's also a fascinating character in his own right who changes over the course of the movie. You get the impression that no matter what he chooses he has already been permanently changed in his heart and mind and that the future might lead to more unseen changes and possibilities.

Although this is definitely a movie that wanted to explore some nuanced topics that other movies don't always show (I am so desperate for Western movies depicting Asians as complex characters!) it does so in a gently humorous way and through a slow-bubbling romance between Ryan and Ning, whose culture clash regarding their Chinese identity and homosexuality manages to be both entertaining and work as a thematic exploration. I have to admit that I have never rooted so hard for a couple before (and this is definitely a relationship that profoundly changes them by the end) but that this is ultimately a story about coming to terms with who you are. A couple of days after seeing this movie (I was still thinking about it a lot) I realized that I loved it for the same reason that I loved Roman Holiday even though these two movies are obviously very different.

The only reasons why I gave this an 8 and not a 10 is because I think that a couple of jokes won't work for some people and I have to warn that this is not quite the straightforward romantic comedy you might hope for. It's ultimately a character drama that features romance, not the other way around. I also wish the best of luck for this movie, hence the lucky number 8.

Please make this available on DVD in Australia someday! Pretty pretty please! This is basically the movie that I've been waiting for all of my life but never even realized so clearly until seeing this.

It was such a great pleasure to see a film that struck a personal chord with me at the 2015 Seattle International Film Festival. Being an Asian American gay man myself, I loved that Front Cover touched on accepting one's identity in regards to both ethnic background and sexual orientation. I just don't think there are enough movies out there that touch upon both topics so this was a no-brainer for me to see at the festival. There are so many reasons why this film was amazing.

The acting by the two leads Jake Choi (Ryan) and James Chen (Ning) was top notch. The chemistry between the two was very believable and really contributed to this film being a great love story. In the question and answer portion after the viewing, we discovered that both actors are straight. Both of them were very believable as being gay in the film. Character development is also done really well as we get to know Ryan's background growing up with immigrant parents and his personal struggles later on in the film. James also does an extremely good job playing an actor from China. The accent is very realistic.

I also have to say that both the writing and directing of the film was impeccable. From start to finish, the viewer is taken on a journey the two main characters falling for each other. Not only is there a connection in the romantic sense, but they also get closer when discussing their cultural backgrounds and differences. Ray Yeung did a great job of making sure the movie flowed really well.

There are also light-hearted moments in the film as well as some comedy. We get a glimpse into the fashion world and some of the jokes made by the characters were really funny. If you liked The Devil Wears Prada then I'm sure you'll like this film as well. But for sure, this is one of my favorite films because it touched on a few personal topics that I relate with. I recommend this film to all LGBT, indie-movie lovers such as myself. I cannot wait until this comes out on DVD!

I saw this film as part of the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Immediately this film came off very differently from the stereotypical "gay" films that you would see on Netflix or at lesser festivals (the Seattle festival is extremely well curated!). Front Cover focuses its attention on the idea of identity and the many different aspects of life that inform your own sense of identity. Being gay was a big part of this but nationality, upbringing, religion, etc. were all touched on. Having this well rounded approach was a big boon to the movie and kept it from being a "gay" movie and, instead, is a GOOD movie.

My biggest revelation leaving the theater is that one of the male leads, Jake Choi, needs more acting jobs in film and TV. I've seen him in a couple of small parts before Front Cover and this just proved he is an excellent actor with good range.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how touching this film was. Even if you can't personally relate to certain aspects of the characters dilemmas (being gay, being Chinese or Chinese-American), it is still well worth your time.

Really enjoyed the way this film deftly provides a window to the Asian American gay experience, which a mainstream audience may not necessarily be aware of.

Acting was also excellent, and what stood out to me most about the film. I was really surprised to know that James Chen was Asian American because his accent was spot on (from what I can tell of mainland China accents). Another great thing about the story line is that it doesn't provide your usual fairy tale ending. But regardless of whether or not you agreed with the choices made by the characters, you could, at the very least, empathize with their experiences and the pressures they face. Kudos to both leads on a job well done.