Chan Is Missing is a 1982 American independent comedy-drama film directed, co-written, produced and edited by Wayne Wang. It is his solo directorial debut. The film, which is shot in black-and-white, is plotted as a mystery with noir undertones, and its title is a play on the Charlie Chan film series, which focuses on a fictional Chinese immigrant detective in Honolulu. It is widely recognized as the first Asian-American feature narrative film to gain both theatrical distribution and critical acclaim outside of the Asian American community.
Film poster
Film director Wayne Wang, 1980
Actor Wood Moy, 1981
"Chan is Missing" still photos of actors Wood Moy (Jo), Marc Hayashi (Steve) and Peter Wang as Henry, the cook singing "Fry me to the Moon" in Wayne Wang's 1982 film..
Wayne Wang is a Hong Kong-American film director, producer, and screenwriter. Considered a pioneer of Asian-American cinema, he was one of the first Chinese-American filmmakers to gain a major foothold in Hollywood. His films, often independently produced, deal with issues of contemporary Asian-American culture and domestic life.
Wang in 1983
Preparing a scene from Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart
San Francisco's Cannery Cinema screens Chan Is Missing in 1982.
Wang in San Francisco, 1981