Face (2006)

Synopsis: Bertha Bay-Sa Pan's directorial debut is an ambitious drama that tells an ultimately uplifting story about the importance of family and the role it plays in shaping a child's life. Genie (Kristy Wu) is a Chinese-American teenager who has been raised by her loving grandmother. Through a series of flashbacks, the story of Genie's mother, Kim (Bai Ling), is gradually revealed. It seems that Kim abandoned her daughter just after giving birth to her, when the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy became too painful to bear. Back in present day New York City, Genie has caught the attention of a charming African-American DJ, Michael (Treach), whose constant wooing manages to crack her seemingly impenetrable shell. It is at this point that Kim returns to New York with the hopes of making a connection with Genie, but Genie wants nothing to do with her mother. When Genie's grandmother learns that Michael is black, her traditional sensibilities threaten to ruin the only familial bond Genie has left, forcing Genie to mature at a time when she should still be dizzy with youth. Bay-Sa Pan's sensitive, heartfelt indie drama features marvelous performances by its wide-ranging cast, including Wu, Ling, Treach, and Ken Leung.     Source: RottenTomatoes.com