The Search for General Tso
The Search for General Tso is a documentary film that premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. It was directed by Ian Cheney and produced by Amanda Murray and Jennifer 8. Lee.[1] Sundance Selects acquired it in December 2014, and was released January 2, 2015, in theaters and on demand.[2]
Development
Around 2004, Cheney and his best friend were driving across America when they stopped at a Chinese restaurant "with red booths and neon signs" and ordered General Tso's chicken. The experience prompted them to investigate the history of Chinese food in America.[3]
In 2008, Lee wrote a book about the history of Chinese food in the United States and around the world, titled The Fortune Cookie Chronicles,[4] documenting the process on her blog. She reported the unlikely, but true, story of how a batch of fortune cookies created 110 Powerball lottery winners.[5] To the surprise of many non-Chinese readers, she reported that fortune cookies are found in many countries but not China and that fortune cookies may have originated in Japan.[6][7] Warner Books editor Jonathan Karp struck a deal with Lee to write a book about "how Chinese food is more all-American than apple pie".[8] She appeared on The Colbert Report to promote the book.[9] The book was #26 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[10]
The book research is the basis of Lee's documentary collaboration with Cheney. In addition to premiering at Tribeca, the film played at the Seattle International Film Festival,[11] AFI Docs,[12] and the Independent Film Festival of Boston.[13]
Synopsis
The film's opening explores theories about General Tso, before moving to China,[14] where few recognize the eponymous dish.[15] The film then traces Tso's real-life history in the Qing Dynasty as well as the history of Chinese immigration to America.[1] Interviewed are a number of notable figures in Chinese food, such as Cecilia Chiang of The Mandarin and a world record-holder for restaurant menus.[16] Also interviewed are Chef Peng Chang-kuei, who invented the dish in China, and David Leong, who coined the Americanized version.[14]
Critical reception
Film reviews were generally positive, with critics finding the premise amusing and the conclusion thought-provoking. John Foundas of Variety called it "a finger-lickin' good foodie docu" and John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter predicted, "Festival auds should eat it up."[1][16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 DeFore, John. "'The Search for General Tso': SIFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ The Deadline Team. "Sundance Selects Nabs 'General Tso'; Warner Bros Shifts 'Pan' Release, Titles Horror Pic, More". Deadline.com. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ Marsh, Lisa. "The Truth About Your Chinese Food: The Search For General Tso Premieres At The Tribeca Film Festival". Epicurious. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ↑ Lee, Jennifer 8. (2008). The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. New York: Twelve Books. ISBN 0-446-69897-0. OCLC 225870250.
- ↑ Jennifer 8. Lee (May 11, 2005). "Who Needs Giacomo? Bet on the Fortune Cookie". The New York Times.
- ↑ Jennifer 8. Lee (January 16, 2008). "Solving a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside a Cookie". The New York Times.
- ↑ 8. Lee, Jennifer (January 16, 2008). "Fortune Cookies are really from Japan.". The Fortune Cookie Chronicles.
- ↑ "Jennifer 8. Lee Attracts Americans with Chinese Food", October 13, 2008. Source: Xinhua/Translated by womenofchina.cn
- ↑ "Jennifer 8. Lee on The Colbert Report on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008"
- ↑ "Best Sellers, Hardcover Nonfiction, March 30, 2008"
- ↑ "Seattle International Film Festival". siff.net.
- ↑ "AFI Docs - The Search for General Tso". afi.com.
- ↑ "Independent Film Festival of Boston". iffboston.com.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Stern, Marlow. "‘The Search for General Tso’: The Origins of America’s Favorite Chinese Dish, General Tso’s Chicken". The Daily Beast.
- ↑ DeJesus, Erin. "Watch a Trailer for The Search for General Tso". Eater.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Foundas, John. "Tribeca Film Review: ‘The Search for General Tso’". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2014.