Award-winning Filmmaker to Screen Debut Film 'In the Family' at Holy Cross

Patrick Wang’s acclaimed film to be released nationwide this spring

Screenwriter, director and actor Patrick Wang will be at the College of the Holy Cross on Thursday, April 12, to discuss his film “In the Family,” which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. The film, dealing with race, gender, law and the politics of family, will be released nationwide this spring. Seelos Theater will offer two free screenings: Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. The College will host a discussion with Wang, immediately after Thursday’s screening, which will be moderated by Marybeth Kearns-Barrett, director of the chaplains’ office. All events are free and open to the public. 

“The film was rejected by over 30 film festivals before it premiered, only to go on to rave reviews and a number of awards,” says Leah Hager Cohen, critically acclaimed author and Jenks Chair of Contemporary American Letters at the College.  “It’s a beautiful film: unusually intelligent, ethical and deeply emotionally satisfying.” 

“In the Family” is set in the town of Martin, Tenn. Chip Hines, a precocious six year old, has only known life with his two dads, Cody and Joey. And a good life it is. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, Joey and Chip struggle to find their footing again. Just as they begin to, Cody's will reveals that he named his sister as Chip's guardian. The years of Joey's acceptance into the family unravel as Chip is taken away from him. In his now solitary home life, Joey searches for a solution. The law is not on his side, but friends are. Armed with their comfort and inspired by memories of Cody, Joey finds a path to peace with the family and closer to his son.

“Patrick Wang is a marvel—a gifted storyteller, a self-possessed auteur and a social healer. ‘In the Family’ speaks eloquently to so many issues and interests without a whisper of preaching or polemic,” shares Cohen, who is organizing the event. “In fact it is an anti-polemic, showing us what might be possible when apparent adversaries meet on common ground. I am so excited that he will be joining us in person after the screening of his film.” 

Slant Magazine named the film one of the 25 Best Pictures of the year:  “This year saw the release of many impressive debut films, but they all feel weightless compared to Patrick Wang's ambitious, compassionate, and devastating three-hour masterpiece...in Wang we have found a major talent.” The New York Times made it a Critics’ Pick. “A remarkably fresh and unpredictable drama…one of the most accomplished and undersold directorial debuts this year.”

More information on the film: http://www.inthefamilythemovie.com/

The event is sponsored by the Jenks Chair of Contemporary American Letters, the creative writing program, ABiGaLe-Allies, Advocating Student Interest in Asia (ASIA), Asian studies, peace and conflict studies, the prelaw program, sociology and anthropology department, theater department, and women’s and gender studies.