A Leading Man
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| A Leading Man | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Steven J. Kung |
| Written by | Steven J. Kung |
| Produced by | Justin Bell Jon Michael Kondrath |
| Starring | Jack Yang Heather Mazur Tsai Chin |
| Edited by | Chris Witt |
| Music by | Jeremy Zuckerman Benjamin Wynn |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Mance Media |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Leading Man is an American drama film distributed by Mance Media[1] The film was written and directed by Steven J. Kung and stars Jack Yang, Heather Mazur, and Tsai Chin. In A Leading Man, GQ Qi is fired from a starring role on a television show and attempts to salvage his career by entering into a romantic relationship with a successful casting director.[2]
Kung was inspired to write A Leading Man after witnessing the stereotypical and two-dimensional depictions of Asian Americans in film and television.[3]
A Leading Man premiered on October 18, 2013 at the 33rd Hawaii International Film Festival. The film is slated for a theatrical release in the United States on September 26, 2014.
Plot
GQ finally makes it big playing a coveted role on a television sitcom. Everyone is happy for him – the network, his mother, his best friend – everyone except GQ himself. He is stuck playing an offensive stereotype. The day he decides to speak up for himself on set, the executive producer fires him. To salvage his career, he starts dating A-list casting director Rachel Cohen; work and love soon become intertwined. [4]
Their relationship survives the protestations of GQ's family and friends, but starts to show strain when GQ is unable to land another acting gig. Frustrated, GQ’s attention turns to a famous celebutant actress, notorious for her relationships with many rising actors and launching their careers. Her flirtations with GQ test his ambition and fidelity to Rachel. When pressures from work, love, and family, come to a head, GQ is faced with the ultimate question: How much of himself will he compromise for career success?[5]
Cast
- Jack Yang as GQ Qi
- Heather Mazur as Rachel Cohen
- Bruno Oliver as Mitch Lebowitz
- Kate Lang Johnson as Whitney Lake
- Raymond Lee as Kelvin Kim
- Tsai Chin as Grandma Mei An
- Cameron Bender as David Bell
- Pat Tsao as Pat Qi
- Coby Ryan McLaughlin as Larry Bentley
Festivals and accolades
2013 Hawaii International Film Festival (World Premiere)
- Halekulani Golden Orchid Best Picture Nominee
2013 Austin Film Festival [6]
- Feature Competition
2014 DisOrient Asian American Film Festival (Opening Night)
- Winner – Best Feature
2014 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival[7]
- Winner – Special Jury Award, Best Cinematography
2014 Dances With Films
2014 Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Other awards: 2014 Asians on Film Awards
- Winner – Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor
References
- ^ Latham, Brandon (30 June 2014. Web. 19 Sept. 2014). "Exclusive: Mance Media Acquires 'A Leading Man,' Which Challenges Racism in Hollywood". Indiewire.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Exclusive: Check Out the Captivating Trailer and Poster for 'A Leading Man'" Indiewire. 4 Aug. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://www.indiewire.com/article/exclusive-check-out-the-captivating-trailer-and-poster-for-a-leading-man-20140804>.
- ^ Higgins, Jim. ""A Leading Man" Puts an Asian Male Center Stage - Meniscus Magazine." Meniscus Magazine. 24 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://www.meniscuszine.com/articles/2012122420327/behind-the-scenes-of-a-leading-man/>.
- ^ Bendel, Joe. "Film Review: 'A Leading Man' - The Epoch Times." The Epoch Times Film Review A Leading Man Comments. The Epoch Times, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/949281-film-review-a-leading-man/?photo=2>.
- ^ "STORY | A Leading Man." A Leading Man. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Sept. 2014. <http://aleadingman.com/v2/story/>.
- ^ Hudson, Jessica. "Steven J. Kung: ‘A Leading Man’ at Austin Film Festival ‹ Austin Fusion Magazine." Austin Fusion Magazine. 26 Oct. 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. <http://austinfusionmagazine.com/2013/10/26/steven-j-kung-a-leading-man-at-austin-film-festival/>.
- ^ "A LEADING MAN - 2014 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival." A LEADING MAN - 2014 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/a_leading_man_2014>.