Here is the trailer from the upcoming film #Americanized “AMERICANIZED.” Directed by Erica Eng, the film stars Terry Hu, Amber Gaston, Helen Ong, Charles Yan, Shannon Dang, Sharar Ali-Speaks, Mark A. Neely.
Director Erica Eng’s AMERICANIZED shares the story of a teen growing up in Oakland’s hip hop culture who struggles to fit in – on and off the court. The film, which was shot entirely in Oakland, CA at Eng’s own alma mater Skyline High School, has become Oscar-qualified after winning “Best Dramatic Short” at their world premiere at Cinequest. Eng wrote and directed the film based on her experiences. Eng, “I wrote this story based on my experiences growing up in Oakland as a fifth-generation Chinese American. I had a hard time understanding what it meant to be Chinese because my family didn’t speak the language, cook the food, or practice many of the traditions. I didn’t feel fully Chinese, or fully American – I just felt lost.” Erica Eng is now based in Los Angeles, but she continues to be inspired by her Oakland roots and creates work that reflects the diverse community in which she grew up. Her combined background in film and dance influences the rhythm and energy behind her emotional storytelling. Through her character-driven films, she creates stories that explore themes of cross-cultural relationships, acceptance, and self-discovery.
