華埠掌故館16日周六家庭日 來聽作家江重仁講故事 - Sing Tao Daily

【星島訊】溫哥華華埠基金會定11月16日在華埠掌故館舉辦周六家庭日活動，適合一家大小參與。上午11時至11時30分，邀請江重仁(George Chiang)講故事，上午11時30分至下午1時舉辦家譜製作活動。

屢獲殊榮的作家江重仁講述故事內容為《Chen Sing的拓荒歷險記》(The Pioneer Adventures of Chen Sing)，這個引人入勝的故事基於Isaac Sing 分享的口述歷史，講述Chen Sing在鐵路建設後，繼續在內陸的冒險故事，展示了友誼與毅力。聽眾將了解江重仁是如何將這些珍貴的家族故事，轉化為一本精美插圖的兒童小說。活動邀請參加者帶上自己的家庭照片，現場製作一份美麗的家譜帶回家。

江重仁是屢獲殊榮的兒童作家、導演、詞曲創作人和製作人。他因獲得超過60個國際電
影獎項的音樂劇《Golden Lotus》而聞名，還因其繪製插圖青少年出版物而獲得認可。他的戲劇生涯遍佈加拿大，特別是 Stratford Festival上演出，並在電影和電視中亮相，如迪士尼的 Eloise at the Plaza。

報名參與成人票五折、青少年免費。有關「華埠周六家庭日」的更多資訊請瀏覽網頁。

完整文章請見這裡。

華埠周六家庭日 聽江重仁講故事 - Ming Pao Daily

【明報專訊】溫哥華華埠基金會將在11月16日(周六)，在華埠掌故館舉辦一項適合一家參與的活動，由名作家江重仁講述《Chen Sing的拓荒歷險記》(The Pioneer Adventures of Chen Sing)的故事。

這個引人入勝的故事基於Isaac Sing分享的口述歷史，講述了華裔先僑Chen Sing在鐵路建設後，繼續留在內陸的冒險故事，展示了友誼和毅力。大家將可以了解江重仁是如何將這些珍貴的家族故事，轉化為一本精美插圖的兒童小說。

主辦方還建議參加者帶上一些自己的家庭照片，以便製作一份屬於自己的家譜帶回家。

江重仁是屢獲殊榮的兒童作家、導演、詞曲創作人和製作人。他因獲得超過60個國際電影獎項的音樂劇《Golden Lotus》而聞名，還因其插圖青少年刊物《Chen Sing 的鐵路歷險記》和《Chen Sing的拓荒歷險記》，以及與人合著的《The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey》而獲得認可。他的戲劇生涯遍佈加拿大，也曾在電影和電視中亮相，如迪士尼的Eloise at the Plaza。

華埠掌故館指出，本月16日上午11時至11時30分將是江重仁講故事時間，11時30分至下午1時則是自由參與的家譜製作活動。

完整文章請見這裡。

Scraps of yellowed newspaper and old memories recall Arthur Miller and ‘Salesman in China,’ now in Stratford - The Hamilton Spectator

All of this is in the stunning Stratford drama “Salesman in China,” with elegant performances from Tom McCamus as Miller and George Chiang as Chinese actor Zhu Xu. It’s acted in English, with Mandarin subtitles and it’s directed splendidly by Jovanni Sy. Don’t be frightened by the subtitles they work like a dream…

[View the full article: https://www.thespec.com/entertainment/stage/scraps-of-yellowed-newspaper-and-old-memories-recall-arthur-miller-and-salesman-in-china-now/article_7f387a2f-de06-5791-969f-85d501190233.html ]]

This new play at the Stratford Festival could become a landmark piece of Canadian theatre - The Toronto Star

Adrian Pang 彭耀順 as Ying Ruocheng with George Chiang 江重仁 as Zhu Xu in “Salesman in China.”

David Hou/Stratford Festival

STRATFORD, ONT.—In 2017, something extraordinary happened on Broadway. Dozens of diplomats gathered to watch the Canadian musical “Come From Away.” It was a rare moment of cultural diplomacy, orchestrated by Justin Trudeau and the Canadian government. 

We could use more of that, now more than ever in these bitterly divisive times. So, if Trudeau is looking to organize another gathering of world leaders, may I suggest that he take them to see “Salesman in China,” the impressive new play currently running at the Stratford Festival and travelling early next year to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Written by the married couple of Leanna Brodie and Jovanni Sy, this show may very well go down in the annals of Stratford as a landmark piece of Canadian theatre, a production that demonstrates the capacity for art to unite, challenge and, ultimately, heal us…

[View the full article: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/this-new-play-at-the-stratford-festival-could-become-a-landmark-piece-of-canadian-theatre/article_0eaaa43c-609c-11ef-bc4e-7f8b562edfd9.html]

Golden Lotus begins streaming on Stratfest@Home - Stratford Today

University of Guelph alumni’s award-winning musical has won more than 60 international film awards.

The highly anticipated musical film "Golden Lotus" is set to captivate audiences worldwide as it begins streaming exclusively on the Stratford Festival's digital streaming platform, Stratfest@Home, starting May 1.

"Golden Lotus," penned by the University of Guelph alumni George Chiang, has garnered international acclaim since it received the prestigious Heckler’s Award for Best Original Work in Hong Kong, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking theatrical production….

[View the full article: https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/golden-lotus-begins-streaming-on-stratfesthome-8640262]

Too good for the NHL - The British Columbia Review

The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey by Chad Soon and George Chiang, with illustrations by Amy Qi

Reviewed by Daniel Gawthrop

The story of Vernon’s Larry Kwong, the first professional hockey player of Asian descent to crack an NHL line-up, has been told many times. The Province’s Tom Hawthorn, CBC reports, documentaries, and at least one biography (Paula Johanson’s King Kwong) have all mined the archives to share the inspiring tale of a Chinese Canadian who excelled at our national game during a time of anti-Asian racism in society and white supremacy in the sport.

For the full review, see here.

Review of The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey by Canadian Review of Materials

Excerpt: 

That season Larry racked up more points than any Rover had in almost a decade. New Year fans voted him the team’s most valuable player (MVP) of the year. On March 7, 1948, he received his prize, a wristwatch, from the Rovers’ fan club. That night the Rangers needed another forward to go up against Gordie “Mr. Hockey” Howe and the Detroit Red Wings. Again they passed over Larry, inviting his roommate Hub Anslow to join them instead At the time Larry didn’t complain but many years later in shared his feelings. “Definitely I should’ve been up there,” he said “I was the leading scorer, and yet they pull everybody else up before me.”

The evolution of sports in Canada has a long history that extends back to early indigenous games and includes the emergence of more recent sports such as snowboarding and kite surfing. Initially consisting of private activities for the participants’ enjoyment and benefit, organized sport became increasingly professionalized during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly with the development of local and national organizations dedicated to sport. With these developments, the activity of sport took on a greater collective significance and became an important part of communal life, people’s sense of belonging, and their expression of shared identity. Numerous works of fiction and nonfiction about hockey for young readers have been published, but only more recently has more attention been devoted to the contributions of underrepresented communities to Canada’s sport history.

A chapter book for older readers, Chad Soon and George Chiang’s The Longest Shot addresses these omissions in Canada’s sport history and profiles Chinese Canadian hockey player Larry Kwong who made significant contributions to the sport and inspired future generations to participate. As Chad Soon mentioned in the book’s preface, he learned about Kwong from his grandfather during his childhood years and was reminded of this individual in a news article decades later. However, little information existed in print and on the Internet about Kwong, which prompted Soon to contact Kwong himself. Through his extensive conversations with Kwong over several years, Soon learned about his life and career which began with his childhood years in Vernon, British Columbia. As a culmination of those conversations, The Longest Shot brings Kwong’s compelling story to the public, ensures that his contributions are not forgotten, and inscribes his presence within Canada’s historical past…

For the full review, see here.

Review of The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey by Quill & Quire

The Longest Shot tells the story of Larry Kwong, who grew up in Chinatown in Vernon, B.C., during the 1920s and 30s, and became the first Asian player in the NHL in 1948. His is a significant story that is only now beginning to be recognized. However, the text isn’t just facts and figures. The narrative is informed by firsthand knowledge of Kwong’s personal experiences. Soon, as noted in the introduction, was friends with Kwong for 10 years, and the pair had weekly calls and numerous in-person visits. Soon and Chiang paint a detailed picture of Kwong and his life. They write, “Before bed in the winter, Larry would help carry store items like pickle jars upstairs to prevent them from freezing overnight.”

The Longest Shot also provides important context and a valuable history lesson on the experiences of Chinese Canadians in Canada. There were times when some stores would not serve Chinese customers, and when Kwong is told at a barbershop in Vernon that they won’t cut Chinese hair, his perspective is given voice: “It was hard to take … I just had to swallow my pride.” Kwong expresses similar anger and disappointment when he is forced to sit separately from his white teammates on a train.

Reclaiming Kwong’s story of life in small-town Canada and rising up against so much discrimination is both inspiring and aspirational. Qi’s bright, large, and movie-esque illustrations are sure to be popular with children. This real-life tale firmly rooted in history will educate and engage readers, regardless of whether they are hockey fans.

[View the full review: https://quillandquire.com/review/the-longest-shot-how-larry-kwong-changed-the-face-of-hockey/

CBC Radio Toronto Interview for The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the World of Hockey

Uncovering the Untold: South China Morning Post Highlights the Legacy of Chinese Immigrants in Canada

Canada’s Chinese Exclusion Act split up families, some for good. A new museum tells their stories.

…When Clement put out the call for the CI documents, Bev Wong (no relation to Richard Wong) went through her late mother’s papers and found not one but two such certificates. One was issued to Ng Yew, her paternal grandfather, the other to Chen Sing, her maternal grandfather. “When I grew up, we didn’t talk about that. Nobody talked about it, nor would they tell us,” says Wong, 79, of her grandparents’ experiences settling in Canada. Her second-generation parents never told her about the racial and financial hardships her grandparents faced, because they didn’t know either, and they were keen to integrate into the community, as was Wong’s generation. Not until many years later did Wong learn more about Chen and his life in British Columbia, which was fictionalised in a 2017 children’s book called The Railroad Adventures of Chen Sing, by George Chiang. Born in China around 1860, Chen was an orphan who grew up in poverty. One day, he heard of an opportunity to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia.

Bev Wong’s grandfather Chen Sing arrived in Canada in 1876. His story was fictionalised in a 2017 children’s book. Photo: courtesy of Bev Wong

Bev Wong’s grandfather Chen Sing arrived in Canada in 1876. His story was fictionalised in a 2017 children’s book. Photo: courtesy of Bev Wong

Arriving in 1876, he worked as a tea boy, bringing tea to Chinese railway workers and earning C$1 a day. Such low pay meant clearing the C$800 debt he owed a labour contractor to take him to Canada would take years. Given the lack of Chinese women in the country at the time, Chen was lucky to find a wife. They had six children, all of whom were issued the CI45 cards for locally born Chinese Canadians….

For the full article, click here.

Stouffville Composer George Chiang's Golden Lotus Wins Best Picture of the Festival at WICA - Featured in Toronto Star

The World Independent Cinema Awards (WICA) recently honoured Golden Lotus with Best Picture of the Festival.

When George Chiang started writing the Golden Lotus musical in the early 2000s, little did he know what it would become.

But nearly two decades later, the Stouffville resident is finally reaping the rewards.

The World Independent Cinema Awards (WICA) recently honoured Golden Lotus with Best Picture of the Festival. It honoured the musical film as the "champion of champions" among the winners of Film Fest International's 11 successful festivals in 2022 across cities including London, Edinburgh, Canterbury, Broadstairs, Nice, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Antwerp, Birmingham, and Rome. Golden Lotus was selected as the standout film of the year and named the best film from all 11 festivals.

For the full article, see here.

George Chiang of Stouffville, 2023 World Independent Cinema Award Winner - Interview with the Bullet Point News

• George Chiang, resident of Stouffville since 2010, wrote, composed, and produced the internationally acclaimed musical and film, Golden Lotus, which has won over 60 film festival awards.

• Golden Lotus is based on one of the most famous Chinese novels which has been banned in China since 1610, and whose overall theme is, “You reap what you sow.”

• George took 10 years to adapt it into a musical, filmed the stage production, submitted it to film festivals, and won many awards to his surprise.

• He has written a book about Larry Kwong, the first Asian hockey player in the NHL, which will be out next spring.

To watch the video interview with George Chiang, click here.

For the full article, see here.

George Chiang of Stouffville, 2023 World Independent Cinema Award Winner - Bullet Point News

George Chiang From Stage to Screen - Interview by the Film Magazine

The Incredible Journey Of Golden Lotus

Golden Lotus is an epic tale about a forsaken beauty who becomes entangled in a blood-soaked web of love, lust, and revenge. Set during the dying war-torn years of Song Dynasty China, she undergoes a spellbinding journey as the world around her burns into ashes. The musical film, captured live on stage, drives this timeless story with a multifarious score that combines pop rock with Chinese harmonies and instrumentation.

Golden Lotus has garnered over 60 international film festival awards, including Best Picture of The Festival at the Film Fest International Paris. The film has also been nominated for 6 awards at the Film Fest International Rome, including Best English Language Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress In English Language Feature Film (Harriet Chung), Best Actor In English Language Feature Film (Billy Sy), Best Editing, and Best Costume.

It has been a whirlwind year for Golden Lotus writer, composer, and producer George Chiang who just returned to his home in Toronto, Canada, from Seoul, South Korea.

What was the purpose of your trip to Seoul?

I met with people in the entertainment industry. We had discussions about producing a stage production of Golden Lotus in Seoul. The city is known as the Broadway of Asia, so it's a great place to stage musicals.

How did the people in Seoul find out about Golden Lotus?

A news article in Korean about our Best Picture win at Film Fest International Paris caught their attention. They did their research, listened to the soundtrack, and loved the music. After they reached out to us, we began discussing how we could work together.

What inspired you to write Golden Lotus?

I wanted to create an epic "Asian" musical that would touch people's hearts like grand western musicals such as Les Miserables. I scanned the greatest Chinese classics and chose Jin Ping Mei because it is arguably the best Chinese novel ever written. While reading the book, I was captivated by its colorful cast of iconic characters and riveting plot. It is a timeless story, both epic and intimate.

For the full interview, see here.

Canadian Artist George Chiang Wins The Filmmaker Of The Year Award For Golden Lotus

On June 8, 2022, George Chiang won the Filmmaker of the Year Award at the Prague International Film Festival for the musical film Golden Lotus which also received Honorable Mention for Best Original Score and Best Editing at the annual event.

For the full article, see here.

Golden Lotus Wins Best Picture at the Film Fest International Paris

On May 21, 2022, Golden Lotus won for Best Picture Of The Festival and Harriet Chung took home the award for Outstanding Actress at the prestigious Film Fest International Paris. The feature length film was selected by the jury from a highly competitive international field of nominees at the annual event which was held in Nice this year due to the pandemic.

For the full article, see here.

Canadian musical Golden Lotus Wins Best Music Feature Film at the Mykonos International Film Festival

MYKONOS, Greece — On April 29, 2022, Golden Lotus won the prestigious Best Music Feature Film at the Mykonos International Film Festival. The musical film was nominated in 3 other categories including Best Feature Film, Best Director and also won honorable mention for Best Poster at the annual event…

For the full article, see here. 

Canadian Musical Film Golden Lotus Wins Jury Award Prize at the Film Fest International London

LONDON — On February 18, 2022, Golden Lotus won the prestigious Jury Award and Best Hair & Makeup honours at the Film Fest International London, England. The two wins by Golden Lotus tied it for most awards at this year’s annual event.

The feature length film of an award-winning musical theatre stage production was selected by the jury from a highly competitive international field of nominees.

For the full article, see here. 

Golden Lotus Leads The Pack With 4 Award Wins At The Barcelona International Film Festival

BARCELONA — On February 5, 2022, Golden Lotus won awards for Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Producer and Best Costume Design at the renowned Barcelona International Film Festival.

The feature length film of an award-winning musical theatre stage production was selected by the jury from a highly competitive international field of nominees…

For the full article, see here. 

Filmmaker in the Spotlight for the award-winning musical ‘Golden Lotus’ at The FilmmakerLife Awards

Interview by FilmmakerLife

Hi, George! Thank you for granting this interview and sincere congratulations on your Outstanding Journey as a Filmmaker and artist.

1. You wrote and composed the musical ‘Golden Lotus’. What should the audience expect to see?

The audience would see a timeless and epic musical set during the final years of war-torn Sung dynasty China with an exciting score that combines pop music with Chinese harmonies and instrumentation.

2. Tell us a bit about your background. When did you decide to become a filmmaker?

I am a writer, composer who didn’t intend to become a filmmaker even though I am also an actor in film and television. I wanted to make the film of my musical Golden Lotus in order to show this musical to audiences around the world with the hopes of also inspiring more stage productions of it.

3. What are the directors that inspire you the most?

I’ve always been a big fan of Quentin Tarantino, not necessarily for the violence, but for the storytelling. I also love Baz Luhrman films like Moulin Rouge that bring musicals to the screen.

4. Where did you get the inspiration from for creating your story? What about the choreography?

Golden Lotus is based on the classic Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei. The novel is arguably the most infamous in Chinese literature and it has been mostly banned in China since 1610 due to its sensitive subject matter.

The choreography was done by Ivy Chung who combined both contemporary and Chinese dance forms in this production. It is beautiful.

5. We know the musical is based on a classic Chinese novel. What did you enjoy the most about working on this project? What did you find more challenging?

The most enjoyable part of working on this project was perhaps the rehearsals when you see your work being brought to life by the actors. Being part of that journey of bringing the musical from page to stage was the most exhilarating part of the process.

The most challenging part of it all was writing the musical, of course. It took over a decade for me to write and compose it. The musical went through numerous workshops and countless rewrites during that time.

6. Do you have any on set stories you would like to share?

It was like we were having 2 productions done at the same time when we were running the show on stage and filming it at the same time. We used multiple cameras for 4 consecutive shows to shoot at different angles for the entire show. It was an exhilarating process.

7. How did you choose your Cast? Was this your first time working with them?

All of the actors in the show were based in Hong Kong except Harriet Chung and Scott Watanabe who are from North America. I had previously worked with both Chung and Watanabe in the ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Productions Workshop. It was my first time working with all of the Hong Kong actors.

8. Do you have any advice for young filmmakers out there?

It’s now easier than ever to make a film with the technology we have now. If you have a story you want to bring to the screen just go out there and do it.

9. What is the universal message that ‘Golden Lotus’ conveys?

Golden Lotus’ main message is about karma. You reap what you sow.

10. What’s next for you? What are you working on at the moment?

I am writing a book about the first Asian hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL), Larry Kwong which will be published by Orca Books and I am about to launch a new album with Harriet Chung in the New Year.

[View the full article: https://filmmakerlife.com/george-chiang-extraordinary-talent-interview-award-winning-musical-golden-lotus/]