The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) has announced that Adele Lim’s comedy flick “Joy Ride” will kick off the organization’s 41st annual CAAMFest in San Francisco.
CAAMFest will run from May 11 to May 21 and feature around 55 screenings and special events. Opening night will take place at the Castro Theatre, with Lim and other special guests in attendance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“Joy Ride,” which premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas, on March 17, tells the story of four friends who go on a journey of self-exploration in Asia.
“Emily in Paris” star Ashley Park plays Audrey, an Asian adoptee seeking to learn more about her roots; Sherry Cola plays Audrey’s wild best friend Lolo; Sabrina Wu plays Lolo’s K-pop-loving cousin Deadeye; and Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu plays Kat, Audrey’s friend from college who has become a popular Chinese soap opera star.
Rounding out the film’s cast are Ronny Chieng (“M3GAN”), Desmond Chiam (“Partner Track”), Chris Pang (“Crazy Rich Asians”) and Alexander Hodge (“Insecure”).
“Joy Ride” was co-written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, both of whom have written for the popular animated series “Family Guy.”
Stephen Gong, CAAM’s executive director, added that the festival helps bring Asian narratives to audiences.
As we’ve seen in the latest awards season, Asian American stories resonate with audiences. Some of those stories come from Hollywood, and others originate in communities like the ones we live in here in the Bay Area. That’s why it’s been the mission of our festival for over 40 years to bring the diversity of Asian American narratives to local audiences.
“Joy Ride” will hit cinemas nationwide on July 7.
