Lucy Liu believes stories like 'Rosemead' should be shared

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 Actress and producer Lucy Liu brings the heartfelt story of Rosemead to theaters this Friday. The film portrays the struggles of a Chinese single mother and her son, highlighting the challenges of mental illness and grief.

Based on a 2017 Los Angeles Times article by Frank Shyong, Liu plays Irene, a widow whose husband succumbed to cancer. Facing her own terminal diagnosis, Irene becomes determined to find treatment for her son Joe (Lawrence Shou), who battles schizophrenia.

In a recent Zoom discussion, Liu reflected on the intense emotional and practical effort required to bring Rosemead to life. She expressed her hope to champion similar stories in the future. "These are the narratives that must be shared," Liu said. "We want audiences to engage so we dont lose connection to our history or our future."

The plot deepens as Irene discovers Joe researching school shooting perpetrators. Fearing a potential threat, she takes decisive action, mirroring the real-life events documented by Shyong.

Discussing the film, Liu noted, "Its a difficult story because it could have been avoided. Mental health carries stigma, and people often feel they cant openly discuss it."

The story portrays the societal pressures Joe faces, including skepticism from neighbors and family about his medication. Liu hopes the film sparks open conversations about mental health awareness.

"Irenes isolation is heartbreaking," Liu added. "She lacked support from both medical professionals and her community. This story emphasizes the need for conversation and understanding."

Director Eric Lin, making his feature debut after a cinematography career, said he personally related to Irenes fears about school shootings. "I have a 9-year-old daughter who practices safety drills at school. The fear parents live with is unimaginable," Lin said.

The narrative explores how the combination of frequent school shootings, recent bereavement, and a terminal diagnosis amplifies the familys crisis. Liu emphasized, "Irene didnt know how to help her son while grieving her husband. Time was running out."

The film also highlights the limitations of support systems. Mental health counselors and law enforcement provide information but little guidance, leaving Irene struggling to comprehend her options, including the 5150 psychiatric hold.

Lin explained, "Irene nods along in the police station, smiling politely, but she doesnt truly understand the process. Cultural and language barriers intensify her isolation."

Liu, who speaks Mandarin in the film, stressed the importance of authentically portraying Irenes cultural and linguistic experiences. "Authenticity was crucial for the story to be understood and felt," she said.

For Lin, directing Liu and Shou required a new skill set, though his cinematography experience helped with scheduling and visual storytelling. The script, co-written by Lin and Marilyn Fu, draws heavily from Shyongs article, including emotional insights from his interviews. Liu even delivered some dialogue verbatim from the source material, conveying Irenes profound sense of shame and desire for invisibility.

The film Rosemead opens in theaters Friday, promising a poignant exploration of grief, mental illness, and the pressures of modern life on families.

Author: Sophia Brooks