To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey (2010) User Reviews

Content over technique?

[sopakopa · 7/10 · 28 March 2011]

The documentary "To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey" follows Hollywood's postwar Asian superstar, Nancy Kwan. Kwan acts as tour guide around her personal and professional history in the film. It features generous, but judicious use of clips from Kwan's career and the final scenes dwell on a family tragedy; The family tragedy has a great message and is very moving, but eventually it throws the film off-balance.

In a mostly chronological account, Kwan acts as both interviewee and sometime-narrator. Kwan's Hollywood associates were interviewed mostly in Los Angeles, with family and childhood acquaintances in Hong Kong. For reasons that become more obvious later on, many of the sessions with Kwan and third husband Norbert Meisel were conducted at the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Trimming the film would improve its appeal to a wider audience. Ka Shen's Journey would fit better in an hour slot on PBS than on a full length DVD movie. In addition, the editing and quality of the film was less than average. I understand that most of the film is old reel footage, but the modern scenes did not look high definition. Furthermore, the transitions and font usage were over used and seemed a bit amateur.

Overall, I would rate the film a 7/10 for good content, but, less than average technique.

Documentary of the life and career of actress Nancy Kwan

[masado · 8/10 · 25 March 2011]

I thought the story was very interesting and gave us a glimpse inside at what it was like for Asians in show business back in the fifties and sixties. Hollywood's attitude toward ethnic actors and actresses were a bit racist and stereotypical until a young actress named Nancy Kwan (whose Chinese name is Ka Shen) broke onto the scene and helped changed the views of many. Most noted for her performances in The World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song, this documentary looks at Nancy Kwan's entire career and shows us a strong, determined woman who no matter what, always pushed forward and delivered her best even when what she had to work with was not very good.

The story is solid and helps us connect by letting us in and seeing the personal hardships she has endured. The film is well shot with wonderful out takes from the various movie and television performances that Nancy did over her career, as well as interviews with some of the people that were closest to her. I also enjoyed listening to Nancy talk about her life and her thoughts about what she has been through. Many times documentaries like this are done after the person has passed away and we only hear opinions from others that knew them and what they think, so it was refreshing to hear her own accounts.

My only criticism of the film is about the constant cutting away to the scenes in the temple ruins. I felt this was way too repetitive, completely unnecessary and a bit distracting. It was almost like they were trying to stretch the film length out and used those scenes to do it. If that was their goal I think they could have found more creative ways to do so. Other than that, I found To Whom It May Concern a very enjoyable and informative piece of work. I definitely recommend it, especially to those who are cinema history buffs.