Watch Journey of a Paper Son

Journey of a Paper Son is a moving drama film that follows the story of a young man named Ben Wong (Edward Chen) who discovers shocking secrets about his family's past while trying to reconnect with his roots. Directed by Stephen M. Coghlan, the film is inspired by the real-life experiences of Chinese immigrants who came to the United States illegally and were forced to create new identities to avoid deportation.

The movie is set in present-day San Francisco and begins with Ben, a successful attorney, receiving news that his estranged father has passed away in China. Ben travels to China to attend his father's funeral and meets his half-sister Ping (Angelina Cheng) for the first time. Ping tells Ben stories about their family's past, including how their grandfather paid smugglers to bring their father to the United States as a "paper son."

The film then goes on to explore the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned Chinese immigration to the United States for more than 60 years. The law caused great hardship for Chinese families, many of whom resorted to falsifying documents to get around the restrictions. The movie depicts the struggles that Ben's father and grandfather faced as immigrants in America, including discrimination, poverty, and the constant fear of being deported.

As Ben delves deeper into his family's past, he uncovers dark secrets that his father had kept hidden from him for years. These revelations shake Ben to his core and cause him to question his own identity as an American-born Chinese. He also learns about the sacrifices his ancestors made to ensure a better life for their families, and he begins to feel a deep sense of pride in his heritage.

Throughout the film, there are several flashbacks to Ben's father's past, including the moment that he arrived in America as a young boy. The scenes are emotional and poignant, and they offer a glimpse into the struggles that Chinese immigrants faced during that time period.

The film also touches on the modern-day challenges that Asian Americans face, including stereotypes and prejudice. In one scene, Ben experiences discrimination when he is mistaken for an immigrant in his own law firm. The scene serves as a reminder that even in today's society, prejudice against Asian Americans still exists.

Journey of a Paper Son is an evocative and thought-provoking film that sheds light on an often-overlooked chapter in American history. It is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the immigrant experience, and it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that generations of Chinese immigrants made to build a better life for themselves and their families. Edward Chen, Angelina Cheng, and Mario Cortez all deliver powerful performances that help bring the story to life.

Overall, Journey of a Paper Son is an emotionally-charged film that is both engaging and informative. It is a movie that all audiences can relate to on a human level, regardless of their ethnic background. The message of the film is one of hope and resilience, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who watch it.

Journey of a Paper Son is a 2021 family movie with a runtime of 19 minutes.