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{{Use dmy dates|date=NovemberMarch 20122021}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox film
| name = My Wedding and Other Secrets
| image =
| director = [[Roseanne Liang]]<ref name="Crew">{{cite web|url=http://www.myweddingandothersecretsmovie.com/crew/|title=Crew|publisher=My Wedding and Other Secrets}}</ref><ref name="NZoS">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/my-wedding-and-other-secrets-2011/credits|title=''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' - Credits|publisher=NZ onOn Screen}}</ref>
| producer = John Barnett<BR>Paul Davis<ref name="Crew"/><ref name="NZoS"/>
| writer = Roseanne Liang<ref name="Crew"/><ref name="NZoS"/><br/>Angeline Loo
| starring = [[Michelle Ang]]<BR>[[Matt Whelan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myweddingandothersecretsmovie.com/cast/|title=Cast|publisher=My Wedding and Other Secrets}}</ref>
| editing = Eric de Beus<ref name="Crew"/><ref name="NZoS"/>
| studio = [[South Pacific Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2011|03|17}}
| language = English<BR>Cantonese<BR>Mandarin
| country = New Zealand
| runtime = 88 minutes
}}
'''''My Wedding and Other Secrets''''' is a 2011 [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Roseanne Liang]], written by Liang and Angeline Loo, and produced by [[South Pacific Pictures]]. The film is based on Liang's real-life [[MiscegenationInterracial marriage|cross-cultural romance]].
 
==Plot==
A [[Romeo and Juliet]] story set in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], Emily Chu ([[Michelle Ang]]) is the daughter of traditional Chinese parents, whose only wishes are that she marriesmarry a good Chinese boy and becomesbecome a [[Physician|doctor]]. But life seems to have other ideas for Emily, who dreams of becoming a world-famous [[Film director|director]] and falls in love with a [[white people|white]] boy from university, James Harrison ([[Matt Whelan]]).▼
{{Rewrite section|date=September 2013}}
▲A [[Romeo and Juliet]] story set in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], Emily Chu ([[Michelle Ang]]) is the daughter of traditional Chinese parents, whose only wishes are that she marries a good Chinese boy and becomes a [[Physician|doctor]]. But life seems to have other ideas for Emily, who dreams of becoming a world-famous [[Film director|director]] and falls in love with a [[white people|white]] boy from university, James Harrison ([[Matt Whelan]]).
 
When she and James, two kindred [[nerd]] spirits fall clumsily into love they must overcome the expectations of her parents. A [[Chinese New Zealander|Kiwi-Asian]], Emily considers herself a [[Jook-sing|banana]] (yellow on the outside, white on the inside), but her father Dr Chu has a different perspective, and his past threats of disownment on her sister hangs over Emily's head. With their secret marriage, Emily's documentary, and James' ultimatum to learn Mandarin or lose Emily, life suddenly becomes very busy for the young pair.
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==Themes==
Significant themes in ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' are those of [[Cultural conflict|cultural differences]] between [[Immigration|migrant]] parents and their native-born children, of [[filial piety]], and of [[love]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mindfood.com/?article=my-wedding-and-other-secrets|title=''My Wedding and Other Secrets''|publisher=MiNDFOOD|date=15 February 2011|access-date=8 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927205600/http://www.mindfood.com/?article=my-wedding-and-other-secrets|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmsplace.com/2011/11/06/interview-with-mike-ginn/|title=Interview with Mike Ginn|publisher=Filmspace|date=6 November 2011}}</ref>
 
==Production Cast ==
 
===Development===▼
Roseanne Liang sought to produce ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'', originally titled ''Girl Meets Boy'', a film based on her award-winning 2005 documentary ''Banana in a Nutshell'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinemaquest.com.au/festival-reports/2011/08/miff-day-sixteen-my-wedding-and-other-secrets-bobby-fischer-against-the-world-melancholia/|title=MIFF day sixteen: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'', ''Bobby Fischer Against the World'', ''Melancholia''|first=Bradley J.|last=Dixon|publisher=Cinema Quest|date=6 August 2011}}</ref> and entered into negotiations with [[South Pacific Pictures]].<ref name="SPP">{{cite web|url=http://www.southpacificpictures.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=121|title=Filming starts on ''Girl Meets Boy''|date=26 February 2010|publisher=South Pacific Pictures}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10711289|title=My big secret Chinese wedding|first=Jacqueline|last=Smith|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=10 March 2011}}</ref>▼
 
Filming for ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' commenced on 14 February 2010 in Auckland.<ref name="SPP"/>▼
 
===Writing===▼
[[Auckland]]-based [[Chinese New Zealander]] director and playwright Roseanne Liang and Angeline Loo, a friend of Liang's from university days,<ref name="Idealog">{{cite web|url=http://www.idealog.co.nz/magazine/28/camera-never-lies|title=Camera never lies|first=Florence|last=Noble|work=Idealog|date=11 August 2010}}</ref> wrote the script, largely based on her life, for ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' over four years.<ref name="ODT">{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/152398/comprehending-love-when-worlds-collide|title=Comprehending love when worlds collide|work=Otago Daily Times|date=19 March 2011}}</ref> The character of Emily is based on Roseanne herself; James is based on Stephen Harris, Liang's boyfriend and later husband; and Dr. and Mrs. Chu and their daughters, Susan and Melanie, after Dr. and Mrs. Liang and their daughters, Renee and Rhea.<ref name="ODT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/news/tbi-qna/122589-tbi-qa-renee-liang|title=TBI Q&A|work=The Big Idea|date=25 October 2012}}</ref>▼
 
Liang was born in New Zealand and, like her character, was set to attend [[medical school]] and become a [[Physician|doctor]];<ref name="NZH">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10714482|title=Renee Liang: My sister, the film maker|first=Renee|last=Liang|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=24 March 2011}}</ref> but, after realising her passion in film and others realising this too, attended [[University of Auckland]], graduating with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] (B.A.) in Film/TV/Media Studies and a [[Bachelor of Science]] (B.Sc.) in Computer Science<ref name="Idealog"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kractors.co.nz/detailsx.php?act_id=134|title=Roseanne Liang|publisher=Kathryn Rawlings & Associates}}</ref> and, later, a [[Master of Performing Arts|Master of Creative and Performing Arts]] (M.C.P.A.),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.script-to-screen.co.nz/about-us/vanessa-alexander/|title=Roseanne Liang|work=Script to Screen}}</ref> concentrating in screen writing and directing.<ref name="NZH"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10415041|title=Festival goes nuts over bananas|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=13 December 2006}}</ref>▼
 
Many of the events depicted in the film are also based on events that occurred during Liang and Harris' courtship, including Harris' learning basic [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] to win over Liang's parents' approval, as part of [[Chinese pre-wedding customs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/auckland-city-harbour-news/4753963/Casting-a-light-on-culture-clash|title=Casting a light on culture clash|first=Scott|last=Morgan|work=Auckland City Harbour News|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|date=11 March 2011}}</ref>▼
 
===Casting===
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
Line 69 ⟶ 54:
|-
| [[Gareth Yuen]] || Jason, Melanie's boyfriend and, later, husband
|-
| Ravi Josula || Student
|}
 
The choice to cast Kenneth Tsang and Cheng Pei-pei, as opposed to Australian Chinese and New Zealand Chinese actors and actresses, was intentional.<ref name="SBS">{{cite web |last=Boltin |first=Kylie |date=29 July 2011 |title=''My Wedding and Other Secrets'': Roseanne Liang |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie-news/895349/My-Wedding-and-Other-Secrets-Roseanne-Liang |work=SBS Film |publisher=SBS}}</ref> On this decision, Roseanne Liang said, "What I wanted above all was authenticity", with her adding that, "All of the New Zealand and Australian Chinese actors were [[Chinese people]] who had grown up in [[New Zealand]] or [[Australia]]. I wanted actors who could speak [[Hong Kong]]-accented Cantonese as well as [[Cantonese]]-accented English".<ref name="SBS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie-news/895349/My-Wedding-and-Other-Secrets-Roseanne-Liang|title=''My Wedding and Other Secrets'': Roseanne Liang|first=Kylie|last=Boltin|work=SBS Film|publisher=SBS|date=29 July 2011}}</ref> However, middle Chu daughter, Melanie Chu, is portrayed by [[United Kingdom]]-based New Zealand Chinese actress Celeste Wong.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 October 2011 |title=Celeste Wong Interview: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' |url=http://www.asiansonfilm.com/2011/10/celeste-wong-my-wedding-and-other-secrets/ |titleurl-status=Celestedead Wong Interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028175613/http://www.asiansonfilm.com/2011/10/celeste-wong-my-wedding-and-other-secrets/ ''My|archive-date=28 WeddingOctober and2014 Other Secrets''|access-date=28 OctoberSeptember 20112013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Melanie Chu |url=http://www.myweddingandothersecretsmovie.com/cast/melanie-chu/|title=Melanie Chu|work=My Wedding and Other Secrets}}</ref>
 
==Production==
 
▲===Development===
▲Roseanne Liang sought to produce ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'', originally titled ''Girl Meets Boy'', a film based on her award-winning 2005 documentary ''Banana in a Nutshell'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinemaquest.com.au/festival-reports/2011/08/miff-day-sixteen-my-wedding-and-other-secrets-bobby-fischer-against-the-world-melancholia/|title=MIFF day sixteen: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'', ''Bobby Fischer Against the World'', ''Melancholia''|first=Bradley J.|last=Dixon|publisher=Cinema Quest|date=6 August 2011}}</ref> and entered into negotiations with [[South Pacific Pictures]].<ref name="SPP">{{cite web|url=http://www.southpacificpictures.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=121|title=Filming starts on ''Girl Meets Boy''|date=26 February 2010|publisher=South Pacific Pictures}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10711289|title=My big secret Chinese wedding|first=Jacqueline|last=Smith|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=10 March 2011}}</ref>
 
▲Filming for ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' commenced on 14 February 2010 in Auckland.<ref name="SPP"/>
 
▲===Writing===
▲[[Auckland]]-based [[Chinese New Zealander]] director and playwright Roseanne Liang and Angeline Loo, a friend of Liang's from university days,<ref name="Idealog">{{cite web|url=http://www.idealog.co.nz/magazine/28/camera-never-lies|title=Camera never lies|first=Florence|last=Noble|work=Idealog|date=11 August 2010}}</ref> wrote the script, largely based on her life, for ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' over four years.<ref name="ODT">{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/152398/comprehending-love-when-worlds-collide|title=Comprehending love when worlds collide|work=Otago Daily Times|date=19 March 2011}}</ref> The character of Emily is based on Roseanne herself; James is based on Stephen Harris, Liang's boyfriend and later husband; and Dr. and Mrs. Chu and their daughters, Susan and Melanie, after Dr. and Mrs. Liang and their daughters, Renee and Rhea.<ref name="ODT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/news/tbi-qna/122589-tbi-qa-renee-liang|title=TBI Q&A|work=The Big Idea|date=25 October 2012}}</ref>
 
▲Liang was born in New Zealand and, like her character, was set to attend [[medical school]] and become a [[Physician|doctor]];<ref name="NZH">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10714482|title=Renee Liang: My sister, the film maker|first=Renee|last=Liang|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=24 March 2011}}</ref> but, after realising her passion in film and others realising this too, attended [[University of Auckland]], graduating with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] (B.A.) in Film/TV/Media Studies and a [[Bachelor of Science]] (B.Sc.BSc) in Computer Science<ref name="Idealog"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kractors.co.nz/detailsx.php?act_id=134|title=Roseanne Liang|publisher=Kathryn Rawlings & Associates}}</ref> and, later, a [[Master of Performing Arts|Master of Creative and Performing Arts]] (M.C.P.A.),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.script-to-screen.co.nz/about-us/vanessa-alexander/|title=Roseanne Liang|work=Script to Screen}}</ref> concentrating in screen writing and directing.<ref name="NZH"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10415041|title=Festival goes nuts over bananas|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=13 December 2006}}</ref>
 
▲Many of the events depicted in the film are also based on events that occurred during Liang and Harris' courtship, including Harris' learning basic [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] to win over Liang's parents' approval, as part of [[Chinese pre-wedding customs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/auckland-city-harbour-news/4753963/Casting-a-light-on-culture-clash|title=Casting a light on culture clash|first=Scott|last=Morgan|work=Auckland City Harbour News|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|date=11 March 2011}}</ref>
 
===Music===
Line 88 ⟶ 89:
 
===Critical reception===
''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' received positive reviews from major publications in the New Zealand.
 
Peter Calder of the ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'' gave the film a five-star review, calling it "utterly charming" and the writing "The logical extension of the idea into a feature film has turned out a cracker - a heartfelt and mildly goofy comedy with a strong thread of pathos that tells a story we should all listen to".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10711715|title=Movie Review: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets''|first=Peter|last=Calder|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=12 March 2011}}</ref>
Line 94 ⟶ 95:
Christine Powley of the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'' also gave a five-star review and recommended viewers to "See it with your girlfriends for a nice time, then sneak back by yourself to enjoy just how well-crafted it is".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/152401/film-review-my-wedding-and-other-secrets|title=Film Review: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets''|first=Christine|last=Powley|work=Otago Daily Times|date=19 March 2011}}</ref>
 
Richard Kuipers of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' gave a favourable review, adding "Liang's brisk and breezy direction is complemented by Richard Harling's appropriately simple and effective lensing around Auckland. Snippets of Liang's [[Super 8 mm film|Super 8]] homemovies are delightful. Other technical work is solid on a modest budget".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/my-wedding-and-other-secrets-1117945823/|title=Review: ''My Wedding and Other Secrets''|first=Richard|last=Kuipers|publisherwork=Variety|date=15 August 2011}}</ref>
 
===Awards===
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2012}}
{{Rewritecleanup rewrite|section=yes|date=September 2013}}
}}
 
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*Prescott Film Festival (AZ, USA) 2012
*Warburton Film Festival 2012
*International Film Festival of Fiji 2012
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
 
==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.myweddingandothersecretsmovie.com/}} (dead link)
*[http://www.myweddingandothersecretsmovie.com/synopsis/ Synopsis - ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'']
*[http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/my-wedding-and-other-secrets-2011 ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' - NZ on Screen]
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*{{Facebook|myweddingandothersecrets|name=My Wedding and Other Secrets}}
 
[[Category:2010s2011 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2010s Cantonese-language films]]
[[Category:Chinese-New Zealand culture]]
[[Category:English-language films]]▼
[[Category:Films about families]]
[[Category:Films about weddings]]
[[Category:Films set in New ZealandAuckland]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Zealand]]
[[Category:New Zealand independent films]]
[[Category:Films about interracial romance]]
[[Category:Mandarin-language films]]▼
[[Category:New Zealand films]]▼
[[Category:New Zealand coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:New Zealand romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Auckland2010s inEnglish-language fictionfilms]]
▲[[Category:2010s Mandarin-language films]]
[[Category:2011 multilingual films]]
▲[[Category:New Zealand multilingual films]]
[[Category:2011 independent films]]
▲[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
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