Center for Asian American Media

Asking her grandmother what advice she has for young people, filmmaker Anita Chang receives a simple reply: “Politics!” Despite a third stroke and a century of struggle, “Democratic Grandma” remains true to the ideals that earned her acclaim and a memorable nickname in Taiwan. However, she also knows that progress exacts a price – a realization rendered vividly and with poignant candor in Chang’s portrait of her headstrong “Ama.” Tracing the parallel threads of her female relatives’ stories, Chang uncovers revelations of political persecution while focusing on the struggle to maintain – and sometimes resist – the bonds of filial traditions. A mesmerizing and provocative meditation on history making and the post-colonial condition, this dynamic documentary intimately depicts what it means to be a part of a family, a nation and a world in constant upheaval.

“From one surprise to another Chang tactfully manipulates time and space through a variety of cinematic tricks…”

- Directors Guild of America

“...Chang is able to deftly weave together personal memories, historical documentary footage and family interviews to paint the portrait of an extraordinary woman and fascinating relationships. This film is critical viewing for students of contemporary Chinese and Taiwanese history, students of documentary and experimental documentary as well as feminist filmmaking.”

- Catherine Liu, University of California at Irvine

Recognition
National Taiwan Public TV Broadcast
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
New York International Film Festival/Tour
Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival

Additional Resources
Director's Web Site »

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group