Rock Springs

Told from the perspective of five Chinese miners in the days before the massacre, the story focuses on two brothers, Lor and Leo Sun as they attempt to survive the night. Lor, the younger brother, is on the cusp of venturing West and pursuing a brighter future in less explored territories, right as the events of the massacre begins. Leo, the eldest, feels indebted to the mining company, and has more responsibility with his own mining crew. The two part ways the evening preceding the massacre, Lor back to the Chinese quarter and Leo to his mining crew/camp. When news of the massacre reaches their camp, Lor must make the choice between leading his crew to safety or setting out alone to find his brother.

Directed by David Huang
Produced by Victoria Hirakawa Castro

Director’s Bio: David Huang grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. His short documentary, “Re-Opening”, commissioned by the Asian American Documentary Network, was acquired by the PBS World Channel for broadcast. His most recent film, “Rock Springs”, centered around the events of the 1885 Rock Springs, Wyoming Chinese Massacre, is currently on the festival circuit. Previously, his films have screened at festivals across the world, receiving awards such as the British Film Institute FFF’s International Special Mention, The Kyoko Arai Fund, and the HEAR US Award.

Precedes

You Don’t Have to Go Home, But…

Directed by Aidan Un

You Don’t Have to Go Home, But . . . is an ode to dancing bodies, a grimy love letter to Philly, a story about what to do when the DJ has played the last song, the club’s lights come on and you gotta go . . . somewhere.