The Search for General Tso explained

The Search for General Tso
Director:Ian Cheney
Producer:
Music:
  • Ben Fries
  • Simon Beins
Cinematography:
  • Ian Cheney
  • Taylor Gentry
Editing:Frederick Shanahan
Studio:Wicked Delicate Films
Distributor:Sundance Selects
Runtime:73 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

The Search for General Tso is a documentary film that premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. It was directed by Ian Cheney and produced by Amanda Murray and Jennifer 8. Lee.[1] Sundance Selects acquired it in December 2014, and it was released January 2, 2015, in theaters and on demand.[2]

Synopsis

The film begins by exploring theories about General Tso. It then shifts focus to China,[3] where few recognize the eponymous dish.[4] The film then traces Tso's real-life history in the Qing Dynasty as well as the history of Chinese immigration to the United States.[1] Interviewed are a number of notable figures in Chinese-American cuisine, such as Cecilia Chiang of the Mandarin, a world record-holder for restaurant menus[5] and Chef Peng Chang-kuei, who claims to have invented the dish in Taiwan.[3]

Development

Around 2004, Cheney and his best friend were driving across America when they stopped at a Chinese restaurant "with red booths and neon signs" and ordered General Tso's chicken. The experience prompted them to investigate the history of Chinese food in America.[6]

In 2008, Lee wrote a book about the history of Chinese food in the United States and around the world, titled The Fortune Cookie Chronicles,[7] documenting the process on her blog. She reported the unlikely, but true, story of how a batch of fortune cookies created 110 Powerball lottery winners.[8] To the surprise of many non-Chinese readers, she reported that fortune cookies are found in many countries but not China and that fortune cookies may have originated in Japan.[9] [10] Warner Books editor Jonathan Karp struck a deal with Lee to write a book about "how Chinese food is more all-American than apple pie".[11] She appeared on The Colbert Report to promote the book.[12] The book was #26 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[13]

The book research is the basis of Lee's documentary collaboration with Cheney. In addition to premiering at Tribeca, the film played at the Seattle International Film Festival[14] AFI Docs,[15] and the Independent Film Festival of Boston.[16]

Critical reception

Film reviews were generally positive, with critics finding the premise amusing and the conclusion thought-provoking. Scott Foundas of Variety called it "a finger-lickin' good foodie docu" and John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter predicted, "Festival auds should eat it up."[1] [5]

Notes and References

  1. News: DeFore. John . 'The Search for General Tso': SIFF Review . The Hollywood Reporter.
  2. Web site: The Deadline Team . Sundance Selects Nabs 'General Tso'; Warner Bros Shifts 'Pan' Release, Titles Horror Pic, More . . 10 December 2014 . 14 December 2014.
  3. News: Stern. Marlow. 'The Search for General Tso': The Origins of America's Favorite Chinese Dish, General Tso's Chicken. The Daily Beast. 19 April 2014 .
  4. Web site: DeJesus. Erin. Watch a Trailer for The Search for General Tso. Eater. 10 April 2014 .
  5. Web site: Foundas. Scott. Tribeca Film Review: 'The Search for General Tso'. Variety. 23 April 2014 . June 14, 2014.
  6. Web site: Marsh. Lisa. The Truth About Your Chinese Food: The Search For General Tso Premieres At The Tribeca Film Festival. Epicurious. June 14, 2014.
  7. Book: Lee, Jennifer 8. . The Fortune Cookie Chronicles . 2008 . Twelve Books . New York . 978-0-446-69897-9 . 225870250 .
  8. News: Who Needs Giacomo? Bet on the Fortune Cookie . Jennifer 8. Lee . May 11, 2005 . The New York Times.
  9. News: Solving a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside a Cookie . Jennifer 8. Lee . January 16, 2008 . .
  10. Web site: Fortune Cookies are really from Japan. . Jennifer . 8. Lee . January 16, 2008 . The Fortune Cookie Chronicles . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725122139/http://www.fortunecookiechronicles.com/2008/01/16/fortune-cookies-are-really-from-japan/ . July 25, 2011 .
  11. http://www.womenofchina.cn/Profiles/Writers/206808.jsp "Jennifer 8. Lee Attracts Americans with Chinese Food"
  12. http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=163297 "Jennifer 8. Lee on The Colbert Report on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008"
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/books/bestseller/0330besthardnonfiction.html "Best Sellers, Hardcover Nonfiction, March 30, 2008"
  14. Web site: Festival 2014: The Search for General Tso . https://web.archive.org/web/20140517212405/http://www.siff.net/festival-2014/search-for-general-tso . 17 May 2014 . Seattle International Film Festival.
  15. Web site: AFI Docs - The Search for General Tso. afi.com.
  16. Web site: Independent Film Festival of Boston. iffboston.com.