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The Art of Fortune Cookie

A charming documentary that explores the origin of the fortune cookie.

 3/5

REVIEW BY SHORT FILMS MATTER
July 31, 2022

Review

Directed by Jiayi Li, ‘The Art of Fortune Cookie’ is a short documentary that explores the history of a San Francisco-based fortune cookie retail store. The film stars Kevin Chan, the current owner, and his mother, Nancy Tom – founder of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Viewers will be captivated by the origin, culture and heritage of the world-renowned delicacy. A joyous watch from start-to-finish.

The 9-minute film opens with a brief history of Chinatown, San Francisco. We learn of the Chinese migrants who came to work in agriculture and goldmining, with some fleeing amidst racial discrimination. The migrants who stayed subsequently based themselves in Chinatown. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory was established in 1962 and have handmade fortune cookies ever since. Kevin Chan (owner) is determined to carry on to protect his family’s legacy. We hear from customers from all over the world – who share their love and joy for the famous cookie.

Jiayi Li has created a charming documentary that informs viewers of the deep-routed Chinese culture in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is a striving small family business that ooze pride for their creation – an endearing watch. Despite being a low-budget production, the film is well shot with acceptable cinematography, sound and post-production. Highly recommended viewing.

Brief Synopsis

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, a hand-crafted retail store with 57 years of history hidden in an alley of Chinatown in San Francisco, has become well-known. In the mechanized and digitalized era, Kevin Chan, a new guardian, insists on the original taste of hand-made cookies, and innovates modern management style, making the century-old craft culture spread. The film is directed by a young generation female Chinese American director who explores the historical movement and cultural value of Chinatown’s business development.

Spotlight

No artists for this title have been featured on Spotlight.

Credits

Director(s): Jiayi Li

Writer(s): Jiayi Li, Johnson Mei

Cast: Kevin Chan, Nancy Tom

Producer(s): Jiayi Li

Director of Photography: Jiayi Li

Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: Documentary

Subjects: Art, Community, Culture, Ethnicity

Country: United States

Language: English

Year: 2019

Runtime: 9 min

IMDb Page

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The Art of Fortune Cookie

A charming documentary that explores the origin of the fortune cookie.

 3/5

REVIEW BY SHORT FILMS MATTER
July 31, 2022

Review

Brief Synopsis

Credits

Director(s): Jiayi Li

Writer(s): Jiayi Li, Johnson Mei

Cast: Kevin Chan, Nancy Tom

Producer(s): Jiayi Li

Director of Photography: Jiayi Li

Animation:

Specifications

Genre: Documentary

Subjects: Art, Community, Culture, Ethnicity

Country: United States

Language: English

Year: 2019

Runtime: 9 min

IMDb Page

Coming Soon

Spotlight

No artists for this title have been featured on Spotlight.

The Art of Fortune Cookie

Review

Brief Synopsis

Spotlight

Credits

Specifications

IMDb Page

Recommended

Poro Forever – The Little Town that Could

Sparking Sunshine

Fighting MSA: Austin Crawford’s Story

NYC! Sound (Back) On

Life Under the Bridge

Broken Records

Two Immigrants. One Injustice.

Eyes Up: A Mural for the Tenderloin

Claude Young: Living In the Now

The Robert Suddarth Story

Recommended

The Art of Fortune Cookie

Review

Brief Synopsis

Credits

Specifications

IMDb Page

Spotlight

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