amy tan

Directed by James Redford

USA, 2021

SYNOPSIS

A look at the life and work of author Amy Tan, one of America’s most respected literary voices.

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November 21, 2024

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unintended memoir

AMY TAN:
UNINTENDED MEMOIR

Amy Tan has firmly established herself as one of America’s most respected literary voices. Born to Chinese immigrant parents, it would be decades before the author of The Joy Luck Club would fully understand how her mother’s self-destructive tendencies were rooted in watching her own mother kill herself after being forced into the former marital system of concubinage.

“Tan’s life and career in vivid, living colors.”

In 1989, Amy Tan’s first novel, The Joy Luck Club, was published to great commercial and critical success. With the blockbuster film adaption that followed as well as additional best-selling novels, libretto, short stories and memoirs, Ms. Tan has firmly established herself as one of the most prominent and respected American literary voices working today. Born to Chinese immigrant parents into 1950’s America, it would be decades before Ms. Tan would come to fully understand how her mother’s self-destructive tendencies were rooted in watching her own mother kill herself after being forced into the former marital system of concubinage. This painful family inspired her stories of women without the power to choose their lives. An interweaving of archival imagery, artful animation and live performance from Ms. Tan form the basis for this documentary that allows the audience to journey through Ms. Tan’s life and career in vivid, living colors.

Follow the film

For speaking opportunities and all press inquiries, please contact lynn@kpjrfilms.co 

Amy Tan Reflects on Creative Collaboration for ‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’
Variety

Amy Tan Says ‘Joy Luck Club’ Sequel Movie Is Stuck in Legal Limbo, but That’s Not Bothering Her
Indie Wire

Sundance Q&A: Editor Jeff Boyette on James Redford’s Amy Tan Biopic
Post Perspective

“The Whole Team Really Came Together in an Amazing Way”: Editor Jeff Boyette on Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir
Filmmaker Magazine

The Unexpected Loss Amid ‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’ Premiere At Sundance
Forbes

The making of an accidental film about an unintended memoir
Dropbox Blog

‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’ Film Review: Portrait of the Artist as a Daughter of Immigrants
The Wrap

Film Review: “Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir” Is An Inspiring Film About An Amazing Author
Laughing Place

‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’ – Variety Sundance Studio
Yahoo

Watch Variety Studio Interview: Amy Tan Reflects On Creative Collaboration For ‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’
Bev’s Girl Films

‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’ – Variety Sundance Studio
Flipboard

Chinese-American author Amy Tan on film of her life Unintended Memoir, and The Joy Luck Club movie sequel
South China Morning Post

Sundance 2021: The late Fairfax filmmaker James Redford turns lens on Sausalito’s Amy Tan
Marin Independent Journal

Sundance 2021: 2 Bay Area films debut, steeped in tragedy
The Mercury News

Sundance in San Francisco: A guide to the 2021 virtual film festival
SF Chronicle Datebook

Sundance Shines on the Bay with Locally Made Films
KQED

Here are 10 titles playing at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival likely to grab attention
The Salt Lake Tribune

21 Films to See at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival
KQED

Race in America
NBC Bay Area

PBS Examines Amy Tan’s Unintended Journey on American Masters
Preview

How author Amy Tan makes her personal trauma universal
Fast Company

Where the past begins
Bay Area Boulder Weekly

CAAMFest 2021
Datebook San Francisco Chronicle

Renowned author Amy Tan discusses American Masters Presents James Redford’s Final Documentary ‘Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir’
KTLA 5 News

the production
crew

Karen Pritzker

Executive Producer

James Redford

Director

John Behrens

Director of Photography

Jeff Boyette

Editor

Suzanne Debrunner

Line Producer

Bob Edwards

Sound Designer

Cassandra Jabola

Producer

Michael Kantor

Executive Producer

Jean Tsien

Story Consultant

Kathryn Bostic

Music by

Xaviera López

Animation by

Ilana Rappaport

Assistant Editor

THE CAST

Amy Tan

John Tan Amy’s younger brother

Sandy Bremner Amy’s best friend

Lou DeMattei Amy’s husband

Molly Giles Amy’s mentor and editor

Kevin Kwan Author of Crazy Rich Asians

Daniel Halpern Editor of Where The Past Begins and The Valley of Amazement

Isabel Allende Author of The House of the Spirits

Lisa Lu Actor, “An-mei” from The Joy Luck Club

Rosalind Chao Actor, “Rose” from The Joy Luck Club

Tamlyn Tomita Actor, “Waverly” from The Joy Luck Club

Ronald Bass Co-screenwriter of The Joy Luck Club

Kieu Chinh Actor, “Suyuan” from The Joy Luck Club

Dave Barry Author and bandmate of The Rock Bottom Remainders

Awards & festivals

20
21.
Sundance Film Festival
Official Selection
20
21.
Cleveland International Film Festival
Official Selection
20
21.
DOC LANDS
Official Selection
20
21.
Seattle International Film Festival
Official Selection
20
21.
Women Film Festival
Official Selection
GALLERY *