The Curse of Quon Gwon: When the Far East Mingles with the West (1916)
Synopsis
The Curse of Quon Gwon is the oldest known Chinese-American film and one of the earliest American silent features made by a woman. Only two reels of the film survive, and no intertitles are known to exist, making it difficult to parse out the exact plot. An article in the July 17, 1917 issue of The Moving Picture World states that the film "deals with the curse of a Chinese god that follows his people because of the influence of western civilization." The film also touches on themes of Chinese assimilation into American society. Formally premiering in 1917, no distributor was willing to purchase a Chinese-American film without racial stereotypes. Considered a devastating financial failure, the film was only screened two more times until its rediscovery in 2004. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.
Release Date: 1916-05-12
Runtime: 35 minutes
Director: Marion E. Wong
Top Cast
- Violet Wong as The Bride (uncredited)
- Marion E. Wong as The Unkind Woman (uncredited)
- Harvey Soo Hoo as The Groom (uncredited)
- Chin Shee as Elderly Woman (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Original Music Composer(s): N/A
Trailers & Videos
Images & Backdrops
Posters
Where to Watch
No watch providers found for this movie in US.