2:00PM SATURDAY 15 JUNE
This droll, fascinatingly unconventional documentary recounts the 2021 recruitment of a Florida family’s retired Taiwanese émigré father, Jerry, as a covert agent for the Chinese police – ostensibly to help them expose an international money laundering ring. Tumult and insidious implications ensue, and notions of truth are turned upside down time and again.
Per the film’s title, Jerry himself re-enacts some of the crazed events he experienced as an unlikely spy, alongside a mixed cast of family members and actors. Bringing a savvy balance of ironic humour and sincerity to the screen, director (and Jerry’s son) Law Chen delivers an unusually entertaining cautionary tale, significant in its circling of increasingly prevalent issues.
PRESENTED BY
Castlemaine Community House
CREDITS
Director
Law Chen
Producers
Jon Hsu, Law Chen
Writers
Jerry Hsu, Law Chen
Duration
75 mins
“Starring Jerry as Himself manages to pull off something of a magic trick”.
Tina Kakedelis, Sundance Review
“Surprising is the operative word here. A compelling, thoroughly engaging documentary with a huge payoff by the end “
Jim Laczkowski, Director’s Club
Director
Law Chen
Law is an award-winning director based in Brooklyn. His narrative, documentary, and commercial films have earned 19 Cannes Lions, as well as multiple Webby Awards and Vimeo Staff Picks, and have screened at film festivals around the world.
His first feature, Starring Jerry as Himself premiered at Slamdance.
Producer
Jon Hsu
Jon Hsu has been making films since he could first get his hands on his family’s Digi8 Camcorder. Since then he has produced multiple award winning commercials, music videos and films. He founded his commercial production services company HsuBox Productions Inc. with the mission to share and produce content that is as diverse as his crew and clients.
Jon is an alumnus of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In his free time he makes large dinners, performs magic, and mentors up-and-coming filmmakers. He was recently Executive Producer the horror movie A Wounded Fawn for Tribeca 2022’s Midnight Program and also a short film Closing Dynasty for the inaugural Netflix x Gold House x Tribeca 2022 Future Gold Fellowship.
The Festival at a glance
Friday 14 June
Theatre Royal
5:00pm
Music from Brazazul
a beautiful moment
Ag Fab: From Paddock to Catwalk
7:30pm
Acknowledgement of Country
8:00pm
WINHANGANHA and Q&A
9:30pm
Drinks at Love Shack
Saturday 15 June
Theatre Royal
11:00am
Obsessed with Light
2:00pm
Starring Jerry as Himself
5:00pm
LOCALS
8:00pm
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande
9:30pm
Party with The Afrobiotics at Theatre Royal
Sunday 16 June
Theatre Royal
11:00am
The Gullspång Miracle
2:00pm
The Koalas and Q&A
5:00pm
Apolonia, Apolonia
8:00pm
The Road to Patagonia
9:30pm
Drinks at Love Shack
FILMS & GAMES IN THE YURT
On the Western Reserve
SATURDAY 15 June
11:30am
Kids on the Silk Road: Girl away from home {film} and The Monkey King {film}
1:00pm
Werewolves {game}
4:00pm
a beautiful moment {film}
7:00pm
Werewolves {game}
SUNDAY 16 June
11:30am
Kids on the Silk Road: Bird Boy {film} and Girl with goals {film}
1:00pm
Werewolves {game}
4:00pm
Ag Fab: From Paddock to Catwalk {film}
5:00pm
Werewolves {game}