MOCA x NYAFF Film Club: Saving Face

*The film is rated R.

MOCA x NYAFF Film Club is a quarterly program celebrating the brilliance and boldness of Asian and Asian American cinema. This series highlights films of historic and cultural significance under the theme Subversion, spotlighting daring films that challenge the norm, rewrite narratives, and push boundaries.

Each session is more than just a movie night—it’s an opportunity to connect, discover, and engage. Following the screening, join us for a moderated conversation to explore the film’s themes, creative impact, and cultural context. Attendees are encouraged to share their thoughts and continue the dialogue during a casual networking reception afterward.

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the world of bold cinema and meaningful connections. Let’s watch, chat, and celebrate together!

*This ticketing policy is not intended to create barriers based on financial status but rather to ensure the sustainability of our practice—helping us cover event costs while keeping it accessible and welcoming to all. All registrations are final. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds under any circumstances at this time.

Saving Face (2004)

Directed by: Alice WuRuntime: 91 minutes | Rated: R

A queer romantic comedy set in vibrant, multicultural New York City, Alice Wu’s irresistible feature debut breathed fresh life into the charming story of a young woman’s complicated life and her pursuit of love amid the chaos. Wilhelmina is a 28-year-old overworked medical resident living in Manhattan with no social life. Her widowed mother, Ma, cannot understand why her desirable daughter spends all her time at work. Ma, meanwhile, appears to be a traditional ChineseAmerican woman still under the thumb of her ultra-strict father. That Wilhelmina and her mother are both products of the very insular, traditional (and, yes…gossipy) Chinese-American community in Flushing, Queens makes the usual family ties even tighter.

A true love letter to New York City, SAVING FACE is told with a great deal of warmth and humor, as everyone tries to sort out their emotions and fulfill their obligations…to themselves and to each other, while all along acknowledging their not-so-secret lives and trying to “save face.”

It was the first Hollywood movie that centered on Chinese Americans since The Joy Luck Club (1993).

Starring: Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen, Lynn Chen

Stay after the screening for a conversation between MOCA’s Curator Herb Tam and NYAFF’s Executive Director Sam Jamier, starting at 8:00 PM. Explore the film’s deeper meanings and behind-the-scenes context before engaging in further discussions with fellow attendees over beverages.

ABOUT New York Asian Film Festival

The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is North America's premier event showcasing the very best in new Asian cinema. Held annually in July at Film at Lincoln Center and various venues across New York City, NYAFF is celebrated for its bold, diverse, and dynamic programming.

The festival highlights a wide spectrum of films—from emerging voices to masterful auteurs—spanning genres such as cutting-edge blockbusters, independent treasures, and groundbreaking works.

As a vital platform for Asian filmmakers, NYAFF fosters cross-cultural dialogue and champions the innovation, creativity, and richness of Asian storytelling on a global stage.

Host or Publisher Museum of Chinese in America