We caught up with Harry Shum Jr. and he told us all the details we need to know about his upcoming film White Frog.
Audrey Magazine: Can you tell us a bit about this film and then about your character specifically?
Harry Shum Jr : White Frog is about a suburban family who looks perfect on the outside, but isn’t perfect on the inside. They’re struck with this tragic death that rocks the whole family. Nick Young, who is played by BooBoo Stewart, suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and has to try and piece things together that will hopefully bring the family back together. I play Chaz Young- the older brother of Nick and he’s basically the glue of the family. He’s kinda the perfect, athletic, older brother that seems to have it all together, but really he’s hiding something from his family that changes their lives forever.
Its a film about family, love, and friendship and how we need that to hold it together and deal with everything in life.
The cast of "White Frog," including BooBoo Stewart and Harry Shum, Jr.
Ten minutes to show time and the air was abuzz with excitement. I was particularly aflutter because this was my first film festival ever. And what better way to be introduced to the scene than at the nation’s largest Asian and Asian American film showcase? People chattering, cameras flashing, and smiles all around. Probably the fact that White Frog was also highly acclaimed director Quentin Lee’s new movie starring Twilight’s Booboo Stewart and Glee’s Harry Shum Jr. had something to do with the buzz as well. With a few words of introduction and welcome, the curtains spread wide and the lights turned down. The movie was so fast-paced and attention-snatching that it was over before I knew it.
The cast and crew of White Frog, including B.D. Wong, Greg Sulkin, BooBoo Stewart, Harry Shum, Jr., Joan Chen, David Henry Hwang and his wife Kathryn. Front: Tyler Posey and Ellie Wen.
It was a beautiful night in San Francisco to celebrate the 30thAnnual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), this event was a must to attend. My photographer Erilou and I had the pleasure of attending this star studded event. The Opening night was held at the Castro Theater and a Gala reception at the Asian Art Museum followed. The world premier of White Frog, directed by Quentin Lee was featured. White Frog is a drama film about a teen named Nick (Booboo Stewart) with Asperger’s Syndrome who has to cope with the death of his brother Chaz (Harry Shum, Jr.). With an amazing and talented cast, many of the actors who are in White Frog were present at the movie premiere. I had the pleasure of interviewing and meeting many of the actors such as Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Harry Shum Jr (Glee), Booboo Stewart (Twilight), and many other talents within the film industry. Read on to read interviews with BooBoo Stewart, Ellie Wen, Harry Shum, Jr. and more.
This Week’s Happenings 2.17-2.24
There’s a lot going on during the next couple of weeks as Audrey gears up for the release of our exciting spring issue! Purchase tickets now to the highly anticipated San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Savor a one-night only collaborative dinner at LA’s The Tar Pit restaurant made by guest Chef Roy Choi. Asian American New Yorker artists: apply to be featured in the upcoming Locating the Sacred festival in Brooklyn. Be inspired to execute those brilliant ideas via a hot off the press book by a leading idea maker. For more, read on!
Image via 111minnagallery.com
WHAT: Purchase tickets to the upcoming San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF)
The Center for Asian America Media (CAAM) presents the 30th annual largest and most prestigious showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, music, and digital and interactive media in North America.
The festival will kick off with a screening at Castro Theatre of White Frog starring Joan Chen, B.D. Wong, Harry Shum, Jr., and Booboo Stewart, followed by a decadent opening night party at the magnificent Asian Art Museum.
The line-up this year includes: Hawaiian love story, Knots, starring Michael Kang; indie horror film, I Am a Ghost, directed by H.P. Mendoza, starring Anna Ishida and Jeannie Barroga; a live audience participation Filipino musical, and films honoring those affected by the Japan tsunami and earthquake.
WHEN: March 8-18
WHERE: San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose, CA
HOW: Purchase tickets to your films and events of choice today!
A few months ago, I got to sit down and chat with Booboo Stewart – Boy Wonder of our Winter ’11-12 issue – to find out more about him and his experiences. He was super nice and humble; the whole time we were just smiling and laughing while he enjoyed his plate of nachos and I sipped on my Earl Grey tea. We started with a quick round of questions about his preferences before we got to the more serious questions.
We’ve talked about the incredible cast in the upcoming film, White Frog.
BD Wong, Joan Chen, Harry Shum, Jr., BooBoo Stewart...talk about star power!
Here’s the trailer for the film.
White Frog follows an Asian American family dealing with the death of Chaz Young (Shum), a brother, son and friend. The story centers around young Nick (Stewart) who also has Asberger’s.
What are your thoughts on the trailer?
Who is the White Frog?
I don’t know either, but coming this fall from Wentertainment Productions and Chris Lee Productions is the new indie feature White Frog directed by Quentin Lee (The People I’ve Slept With). Written by mother-daughter team Fabienne Wen and Ellie Wen with playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) as its script advisor, the film focuses on high school freshman Nick Young (The Twilight Saga‘s Booboo Stewart) who struggles with mild Asperger’s syndrome. The troubled and neglected teen idolizes his perfect older brother Chaz (Glee‘s Harry Shum Jr.), but his life takes a sharp turn and a leap after fate plays a hand in his brother’s life.
