Sep 4, 2008

Gunn High grad set to debut comedy in Bay Area

Chinese-American directs 'Ping Pong Playa'

By Shannon Barry / Daily News Correspondent

Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Palo Alto native Jessica Yu admits that taking a movie from concept to completion in three years isn't just an accomplishment, it's an undertaking.

But "Ping Pong Playa" was a story she needed to finish, not only as its co-writer and director, but as a fifth generation Chinese-American with politically active parents, she said.

Jessica said she grew up "culturally aware, but steeped in American culture."

The Gunn High School graduate is looking forward to the film's opening Sept. 5 at the Metreon in San Francisco, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley and Camera 12 in San Jose.

Jessica, who got into filmmaking through documentary work, said making a comedy about pingpong rather than an intense drama was a new adventure and incredibly enjoyable.

She hopes the movie will appeal to a wide audience.

The film centers on Christopher "C-dub" Wang, who clings to dreams of a career as a pro-basketball player. He lives at home, works a dead-end job and is constantly in the shadow of his older brother, Michael, a doctor and pingpong champion.

"It's a character that she feels all young people can identify with," said her mother and historian, Connie Yu.

Jessica wants people to appreciate "an enjoyment of a Chinese-American character and the fact that it is a comedy."

Although Jessica is sensitive about issues like the Chinese Exclusion Act and civil rights and has taken a serious approach to past projects, this film aims to reach out through the universal language of laughter.

"She can be very serious ... and also extremely funny," said her sister and Google employee, Jennifer.

Connie, a resident of Los Altos, enjoyed watching the film for its content and also because many of the scenes were drawn directly from Jessica's experience, including a father frying Spam.

"I think this is something she wanted to do," Connie said. "We have always traded jokes and stories about being Asian."

Connie teaches at The Fencing Center in San Jose. Growing up, Jessica was a champion fencer so it was easy for her to focus on an athlete in a film.

Of course, Jessica credits much of her success to her background and the ongoing support of her family.

On Sept. 8, Jessica is scheduled to speak at Google about the movie and struggles within the film industry.

"Google has a very strong tradition and culture of bringing in speakers," Jennifer said about helping arrange Jessica's talk. "It seemed like a natural fit."

And although Jessica is looking forward to offering an insider's look at the film industry, she said the overlapping goal for cast, crew and audiences is simple: to experience an entertaining, yet informative film.

"It is so nice to give people an enjoyable experience and have them laugh and laugh at themselves," Connie said. "It's satiric but it is also done with a fondness."