Original-Cin Q&A: Comedy creator Alan Yang does drama and the Asian-American experience with Netflix feature directorial debut Tigertail
By Bonnie Laufer
You might not recognize the name Alan Yang but the truth is he doesn’t mind at all.
Yang is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner who got his start writing for the hit sitcom Parks and Recreation and then went on to co-create, with star Aziz Ansari, the critically acclaimed Netflix comedy series, Master of None.
Yang has teamed up again with Netflix for his latest offering, a sombre and heartfelt film called, Tigertail, which he wrote and directed.
Writer-director Alan Yang shot on location in Taiwan for the Netflix movie Tigertail
The film initially centers on a young Pin-Jui (Hong-Chi Lee), who relocates to the United States from Taiwan in search of a better life - though the move forces him to agree to an arranged marriage in lieu of staying with the woman he loves.
When it turns out America isn’t exactly the land of opportunity that Pin-Jui had hoped for, he’s stuck in a loveless marriage, works a tiresome, thankless job, and, as the trailer explicitly states, becomes broken inside. As the film fast-forwards several decades, an older Pin-Jui (Tzi Ma) seeks to make amends for his past and finally build the life he once dreamed of.
This personal passion project is a love letter to Yang’s family and to Asian immigrants, whom he noted are facing a particularly difficult time in America due to current events. Our Bonnie Laufer spoke with Yang from his home in Los Angeles to discuss the film.
ORIGINAL-CIN: How are you holding up? Everything okay with you these days?
ALAN YANG: “I can't complain compared to some other people. Trying to stay positive and doing virtual press for the film and staying safe.”
OC: I was so riveted by this story. You've given us so many comedic shows. What was the initial inspiration for you to write what is so clearly this dramatic passion project?
YANG: “It was about four years ago when I actually started the screenplay. I always felt like my favorite stuff to work on was material that was personal to me. And this couldn't be more personal, because it's inspired by my family and in particular my dad's story.
“Once I started writing I just kind of couldn't stop so I kept working on it and doing draft after draft. Finally. I took a trip to Taiwan with my dad, and that inspired a lot more of the movie. So it's been a long process and I can't wait for people to see it because it's really personal to me.”
OC: How did your parents feel about you writing their story initially?
Pin-Jui (Tzi Ma) and his daughter Angela (Christine Ko) in Tigertail
YANG: “They were extraordinarily supportive and I'm very grateful to them for allowing me to do this, because, you know, you're putting your life in someone else's hands quite literally. So, I hope I repaid their trust.”
OC: What did they think of the film once it was completed?
YANG: “They all recently saw the movie and they loved it. My dad has seen it three times already and says he wants to see it two more times before it comes out.”
OC: You can’t get a better review than that!
YANG: “Truthfully, that's the only review that matters.” (laughs)
OC: Plus, your dad did some voice over for the film at the beginning and the end.
YANG: ”That's right. He provides the voiceover at the beginning and the ending of the movie, and he wanted me to tell people that he's available. So if people are looking for more Mandarin voiceover FOR their movies, he's around. He's retired so he’s got loads of time on his hands.”
OC: I’m sure you’ve got connections to help him out.
YANG: “Sure but it’s better if I get him an agent so that I can take 10 percent.” (laughs)
OC: One thing that really stands out about Tigertail is that it's not just for people of Asian descent and it really hits home to all of us. I don’t think there is a person out there who can’t relate to the family and the themes in the film. I know that I did.
YANG: “I’m ecstatic to hear you say that, because I want to make it clear that it's not just for Asian people. This movie is universal. It's a specific story, but I think that sometimes makes stories more universal.
“Whether you’re Asian-American or Canadian, whether you're Scandinavian or British or German, there's a lot of history of cultures that hold things in and don't show their emotions. Especially with men, it's a very masculine thing to pretend you're being stoic and strong by being stoic.
“And that is part of the message of the movie. One of the themes is that strength can sometimes be invulnerable, and showing your emotions and being honest with the people you love and telling them how you feel is really important.
“So that's one of the themes as well. It's about love, it's about passion, it’s about regret and it’s about family. It's not just about being an Asian American immigrant, although I think that community will like it as well.”
OC: What was the biggest challenge for you making this film? You shot on location, and the writing was a long process.
YANG: “Yeah, it was a lengthy process and you know, I had to sort of get my feet wet in terms of directing actors who spoke other languages, because I don't really speak Mandarin and I definitely don't speak Taiwanese.
“There are three languages in the movie and I only speak one of them. So, some of the actors did not really speak English and I communicated through a translator and gave them notes.
“Midway through the process, I think I knew a little bit more Mandarin than I let on, because I gave a note to the translator and they gave a note to the actors and I heard them wanting to do their own thing. And I was like,’ No you can’t just make up notes. You have to do what I say. Your job is to translate not to direct the movie.’ So I learned a little more Mandarin along the way than I think people anticipated.”
OC: What was the most important thing that you learned through this whole process?
AY: “I learned a lot working on this film from start to finish. Making the movie went hand-in-hand with the process of getting to know my parents better. We were already on our way but the movie helped. I think there's no doubt about that.
“However, I also think it's a two-way street. It's me reaching out and being more open with them and them doing the same with me, and I feel closer to them than ever before. It's becoming an adult and realizing that your parents are people, too. It was a very cathartic experience for all of us.”
OC: Plus, this is your directorial debut. So has the bug bit? Will we see more directing projects from you soon?
YANG: “Yeah, absolutely. I love directing movies and there will definitely be more in the future, I will also do television. So yeah, I’m creating more TV shows directing more movies doing all of it.”
OC: You started your career as a writer on Parks and Rec, and then of course you teamed up with Aziz Ansari for Master of None for which you won an Emmy award. And now, in just a short time, you are directing a film based on a script that you wrote. Are you still taking all of this in?
YANG: “I sometimes think it’s all a really good dream. I just feel really lucky and I've been fortunate to work with great people and my parents instilled a pretty good work ethic in me and that's depicted in the movie. So, you know, I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.”
OC: Tigertail starts streaming on Netflix on Friday. What do you hope viewers take away from it?
YANG: “We're all a little bit isolated right now and I think a lot of people are probably feeling a little bit alone. So I hope people can watch this movie with their family, whether it is separately or together.
“And if not, then give their parents a call or give their kids A call and talk about the movie. That would be the Ultimate gift to me.”