OSCILLOSCOPE’S GOT SOUL; ACQUIRES SOUL OF A BANQUET
By Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired worldwide rights to Wayne Wang’s documentary SOUL OF A BANQUET, currently in production. The film, which had a special work-in-progress benefit screening in 2013 at the San Francisco Film Society, will premiere later in 2014.
Director Wayne Wang (THE JOY LUCK CLUB) takes us into the world of Cecilia Chiang, the woman who introduced America to authentic Chinese food. Chiang opened her internationally renowned restaurant The Mandarin in 1961 in San Francisco and went on to change the course of cuisine in America. The film is equal parts a delectable showcase of gastronomy and a touching portrait of Chiang’s journey from a childhood in Beijing before the Cultural Revolution to accidental restaurateur on the west coast of the United States. SOUL OF A BANQUET features interviews with Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl, and Cecilia Chiang herself.
Wayne Wang is the director of more than 20 films that bring a literate and eclectic sensibility to stories about globalization. His directing credits include THE JOY LUCK CLUB, MAID IN MANHATTAN and A THOUSAND YEARS OF GOOD PRAYERS.
About the acquisition, O-scope’s Dan Berger and David Laub said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to bring Wayne’s deeply touching and wonderfully delicious portrait to audiences. It’s a late Christmas gift to O-Scope – and what better way for two Jewish boys to celebrate Christmas than with Chinese food?”
Filmmaker Wayne Wang said, “Cecilia not only changed the face of American cuisine when she opened the Mandarin, she also made the very best potstickers when I arrived in San Francisco from Hong Kong. I’m looking forward to partnering with Oscilloscope to introduce Cecilia’s story and her sumptuous cooking to a new generation of foodies.”
SOUL OF A BANQUET was produced by Wang, Richard Wong and Jonathan Bing.