USA & China, 2010, Mini DV, 109 minutes
Mandarin with English subtitles
Directed, shot, and edited by Leslie Tai
Throughout my growing up in America, my Chinese grandmother scavenged through the bags of eager cast-offs that my mother set aside for donation. Over the years, she has rescued nearly every single article of clothing I have worn since I was born. Grandma’s vintage clothing collection is spread over eight rooms, three countries, two continents – and could fill a museum. One might call it her passion, but Grandma calls it her job.
These days, Grandma’s vintage collection is getting out of control. Her eyesight is failing. Her food tastes funny. She can’t find anything anymore, but she can’t bear to give any of it away. In her apartment in Sunny View old people’s home—a place she can call her own—there’s nowhere to sit, nowhere to stand, nowhere to sleep. It’s getting easier to throw things away while she’s not looking.
SCREENINGS:
Crossing Festival 2010, presented by Caochangdi Workstation
New Works in Documentary "My Memories and Me", October 2010, Beijing, China
UCCA Art Cinema Documentary Film Series: "My Memories and Me"
January 2011, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China
To purchase DVD for Educational Use, please visit China Independent Documentary Film Archive (CIDFA).
The "Bunny" scene
"Grumpy Grandma"
Global Times. 7 Jan 2011 (1/2)
Global Times. 7 Jan 2011 (2/2)