Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, directed by Yunah Hong, is a documentary on the life and career of pioneer actress Anna May Wong. The film has screened at a number of festivals and is currently preparing to air on public television, where it can find a wider audience.
But in order to do that, they first need to raise some cash to buy the broadcast rights to footage from Anna May Wong's films. The documentary would seem rather pointless without that footage. Thus, they're trying to get the money together through Kickstarter campaign:
Here's some more information from the filmmaker:
My one-hour documentary, Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, shows how Anna May Wong (1905-1961) became an artist, a world figure and an activist in spite of the prejudices of her time. It had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival and has been in four American and Canadian festivals.They're trying to raise $20,000 by November 30. Your generous pledge will help bring Anna May Wong's unique story and legacy to a national audience. For further information about the project, and to make a donation, go to the Kickstarter page here.
Right from the beginning I wanted this documentary to reach a wider audience, especially young Asian Americans and other minorities, to inspire them to have a dream and to follow it the way Anna did. One of the film’s funders, the Center for Asian American Media, will distribute it to public television stations. But first I have to buy the broadcast rights to footage I use from Anna May Wong’s films. Paying for rights, and for the insurance PBS requires, will cost me $20,000. If I can't raise that money the film won’t reach a national audience.
