Photographed by Chopper Platt.
YES WE’RE OPEN was a sold-out crowd-pleaser at the 2012 Asian American International Film Festival, and we’re excited that it is a part of the 2012-13 ACV National Festival Tour. Wellesley College’s Asian Alliance is booking the film for a Valentine’s Day showing for their student organization and guests.
We were able to catch LYNN CHEN (NICE GIRLS CREW, SAVING FACE, SURROGATE VALENTINE), the lead actress of the film, and talk with us about her journey as an actor, blogger, and activist in the Asian American community.
CineVue: In YES WE’RE OPEN, you play a character very much into open relationships. How do you feel about that concept? Do you relate to your character?
Lynn Chen: I definitely relate to my character “Sylvia” in a few ways, but for the most part we are very, very different.
CV: From SAVING FACE to YES WE’RE OPEN, in the span of 10 years, did the Asian American identity grow in any way?
LC: It’s amazing how many Asian faces we see now on television and film – that said, I still perk up every time I see one and take notice. The wonderful thing is, it’s usually somebody I know! How amazing is that?
CV: Do you consider yourself an Asian American actor? Why or why not?
LC: Yes, I do. I consider myself very lucky to be part of a community. Not everyone has one, and ours is particularly awesome.
CV: We see that you are a blogger about food and the body image, can you talk about why you started the blog and how it has grown over the years?
LC: The blog is a way for me not only to stay creative in an industry where you sit around waiting for the phone to ring – by writing/taking photos/etc. – but also a terrific way for me to interact with my audience. Talking about movies and projects gets old, but I never tire of food discussions.
CV: How do you think the internet and social media have influence the filmmaking process, and what do you foresee as the future of film/distribution process?
LC: I have no idea about the future, but the present is pretty exciting. There is a lot that is possible these days in terms of DIY filmmaking.
CV: Any upcoming projects?
LC: Look out for the second season of Nice Girls Crew!
Lynn Chen began performing at the age of 5, singing with the Metropolitan and NYC Opera Children’s Chorus. She made her feature film debut in Sony Pictures Classic’s Saving Face, a role that won her the title of “Outstanding Newcomer” at the 2006 AXAwards. Since then, she has appeared in over a dozen films, most recently starring in the sequel to Surrogate Valentine, Yes We’re Open, and Nice Girls Crew – all currently on the film festival circuit.
Additionally, she is a well-known blogger for The Actor’s Diet, a personal daily food journal, Thick Dumpling Skin, a community forum dealing with Asian-Americans/body image.