Pins and Noodles, Film Screening

PINS & NOODLES, the second installment of Persona Grata Productions, follows videographer and noodle enthusiast Paul Kwan on a gastronomic safari in search of a cure for his food allergies. Kwan has discovered, much to his dismay, that shellfish and the rich, spicy foods that give him such great pleasure may be the cause of red, itchy rashes and major discomfort.

Kwan's journey from San Francisco Chinatown to Saigon, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, seeking the best and most palatable remedies for his ailment. In addition to delivering mouth-watering visuals for his travels, this documemoir presents a memorable series of characters and scenes-fascinating examples of East and West meeting. Kwan's physician of choice is a 90-year-old Dr. Ng, who treats both Asian and non-Asian patients with Chinese herbs and acupuncture. In Taiwan, another practitioner of Chinese medicine uses a computer and modern technology to update his diagnosis.

The tension builds as Kwan's odyssey turns into a life-threatening ordeal when, midway through making the video, he suffers a debilitating stroke. Kwan's experience and the process of recovery lend extra significance to this video's preoccupation with food, medicine, culture, and health.

Show in:
San Francisco Asian Art Museum,
Asian American Film/Video Festival.

Paul Kwan and Arnold Iger have been collaborating on documentary films for PBS since 1991.

http://www.persona-grata-productions.org/

Q&A with the Director will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel