Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story
Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story is a 2018 Taiwanese-American documentary film directed by Frank W Chen. The film follows the latter years of professional baseball pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, the first and only Taiwanese to be signed by the New York Yankees, as he struggles to make it back into the Major Leagues after a series of career-changing injuries. It is a story of a man who is unwilling to give up and unable to let go, as told by those closest to him, examining his roles as an international player, a father, a son, and a reluctant national icon.
| Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story | |
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| Directed by | Frank W Chen |
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| Cinematography | Hai-Tao Wu |
| Edited by | Amy Chih-Hsin Lee |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
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| Language | English/Chinese |
The film premiered on May 9, 2018, at the 34th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF). It was featured at the 36th Annual Center for Asian American Media Festival (CAAMFest) in San Francisco on May 12, 2018; the 41st Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City on July 29, 2018; the 13th Annual Orlando Film Festival on October 24, 2018; the 22nd Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) on November 3, 2018; and the 55th Annual Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival in November 2018. Late Life began a limited theatrical run in the United States in October 2018 and was released into Taiwanese theatres in December of the same year.
Synopsis
editThe first and only Taiwanese player for the New York Yankees, Chien-Ming Wang held many titles: American League Wins Leader, World Series Champion, Olympian, one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, and the “Pride of Taiwan.”[1]
Armed with a devastating sinker with “late life,” Wang was once so dominating on the mound that he was named New York Yankees’ starting pitcher for the inaugural game at New Yankee Stadium in 2009. But after a terrible ankle injury, Wang’s pitches lost their effectiveness, and he was released from the Major League rosters.[2] Cameras follow Wang through his grueling workout routines and unglamorous minor league pitstops as he mounts his remarkable comeback. He’s helped along the way by his loyal agent, trainers, fans, and his family, who form a de facto support network that keeps him going.
The burdens of being a national icon are also explored in the film. As the first all-star level Taiwanese athlete, Wang’s celebrated as a hero in his homeland. But the weight of his countrymen’s expectations is both a gift and a curse, driving him to succeed when he could have rested on his laurels. His story is ultimately an Asian parable, an uplifting chronicle of success through sheer determination and hard work.
Production
editLate Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story was produced by WYC Motions, a company founded by Frank W Chen, in association with 408 Films. The film was co-produced by EBOS International and co-presented by Activator Marketing Company. Late Life was distributed by Passion River Films in the USA.
Development
editDirector Frank W Chen was introduced to Chien-Ming Wang through a mutual friend in 2013. They met for dinner after a Minor League game in Moosic, PA. After the meal, Chen watched Wang awkwardly contorting his 6-foot-4 frame into his small rental car. “That image struck me,” said Chen, “For me, he was still a national icon, but he [was still having] to endure all of these lonely Minor League stints just to try to get back to where he thought he belonged. That became the impetus for the movie.”
Chien-Ming Wang initially declined to participate in the film. He felt he needed to keep his focus on the game and trying to make it back to the big leagues. When the 2014 season ended and after further discussion with his agent Alan Chang, Wang realized the film had the potential to inspire new generations of ballplayers — including his own sons. He agreed to join the project in early 2015.[3]
Filming
editDocumentary cameras followed Chien-Ming Wang over four years through 21 cities in three countries.
Reception
editCritical response
editLate Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story has generally received positively. It currently holds an 83% score on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.[4]
Kevin Crust of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Ultimately, it's an inspiring account of an elite athlete with the tenacity (and resources) to battle adversity and keep his dream alive."[5]
Frank H. Wu of Film Inquiry wrote, "You don't need to be a baseball enthusiast to enjoy Late Life. Anyone who appreciates human drama will be rooting for Wang."[6]
David Noh of Film Journal International reviewed the film, writing, "Possibly the most purely moving batter-up film since every dad's favorite male weepie, The Pride of the Yankees."[7]
Roger Moore of Movie Nation wrote, "Sober and inspiring look at a faded New York Yankees star, The Pride of Taiwan, struggling through a years-long comeback."[8]
Chelsea Lee of CAAMFest wrote that Director Frank W Chen provided "a unique look at the baseball through an Asian American lens to capture a narrative much grander than one of a Taiwanese baseball player in America, but rather a story of relentless resolve and love."[9]
Awards and recognition
editLate Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story won the Audience Award for International Documentary Feature at the 34th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.[10] The film was selected as a Centerpiece Presentation for the 41st Asian American International Film Festival in New York City.[11] Late Life was nominated for Best Documentary award at the 55th Golden Horse Awards.[12] The film won the People’s Choice Award for Best Overall Feature at the 22nd Vancouver Asian Film Festival.[13]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story | Vancouver Asian Film Festival: People’s Choice Award for Best Overall Feature | Won |
| 2018 | Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story | Golden Horse Film Festival: Golden Horse Award for Best Documentary | Nominated |
| 2018 | Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story | Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: Audience Award for International Documentary Feature | Won |
References
editNotes
edit- ^ Yu, Wufei (October 23, 2018). "A Baseball Star for All Taiwanese: The Chien-Ming Wang Documentary". Ketagalan Media. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ Kepner, Tyler (June 16, 2008). "Yanks Lose Their Ace and Eye Another". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ Davidoff, Ken (October 22, 2018). "The story behind one-time Yankees ace who refuses to give up". New York Post. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ "Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story (2018)". Retrieved March 31, 2019 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ Crust, Kevin (October 18, 2018). "Review: Former Yankee mounts a comeback in documentary 'Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Wu, Frank H. (August 9, 2018). "Late Life: The Chien Ming Wang Story: What happens to professional athletes late in life?". Film Inquiry. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Noh, David (October 19, 2018). "Film Review: Late Life: The Chien-ming Wang Story". FilmJournal International. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Moore, Roger (October 17, 2018). "Documentary Review — A pitcher attempts a comeback in "Late Life: The Chien Ming Wang Story"". Movie Nation. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Lee, Chelsea (May 10, 2018). "Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story". CAAMFest. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ Visual Communications (May 10, 2018). "Congratulations to our 2018 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival winners!". Visual Communications. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ "Documentaries". Asian American International Film Festival. July 25, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ "55th Golden Horse Film Festival Award Nominees & Winners". Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards. November 18, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Blogger VAFF (November 18, 2018). "Festival Recap: Celebrating INFUSIAN at VAFF 2018". Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
Sources
edit- Cheung, Han (December 13, 2018). "Movie review: Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story". Taipei Times. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- Withiam, Hannah (November 1, 2018). "Life after Yankees stardom: Inside one-time ace Chien-Ming Wang's fight back to MLB relevance". The Athletic. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Titze, Anne-Katrin (October 29, 2018). "A long way home: Frank W Chen on Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story". Eye for Film. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Landers, Chris (October 8, 2018). "A new documentary tells the captivating story of Chien-Mien Wang's Major League career". MLB.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Frater, Patrick (September 18, 2018). "'Late Life' Baseball Documentary Heads for U.S. Release (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Golianopolous, Thomas (June 18, 2018). "A Different Sort of Happiness". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Ko, George (June 7, 2018). "Back On the Mound with Chien-Ming Wang". Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Johnson, G. Allen (May 2, 2018). "10 films to see at Asian American CAAMFest 36". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- "Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story, Interview with Director Frank W Chen". We Are Moving Stories. May 28, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- "How far would you go? The Chien-Ming Wang Comeback Story". YouTube. May 13, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Tsao, Edward; Kao, Kao (April 16, 2018). "Chien-Ming Wang documentary to be featured at LAAPFF". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Sullivan, Randy (March 29, 2018). "Late Life: How Chien-Ming Wang Made it Back To The MLB". Florida Baseball Ranch. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- Sang, Eliot (March 21, 2018). "Netflix's Documentary on The 'pride and glory of Taiwan' Will Inspire You". NextShark. Retrieved March 30, 2019.