Bluff City Chinese Brings Untold History to the Screen at the Fort Smith International Film Festival

The Local Vibe
Aug 19
1 min read

The documentary Bluff City Chinese made a powerful impression at the Fort Smith International Film Festival, offering audiences a glimpse into 150 years of Chinese American history in Memphis, a story many had never heard before. Directed by Tom de Tai, with historian Emma at the helm of the research and Caesar Wong as writer and producer, the film captures not only a historical narrative but also a deeply personal journey of friendship and discovery. At its heart, the project shines a light on Emma’s decades-long effort to uncover and preserve the genealogy of Memphis’s Chinese community, bringing visibility to a history that was nearly lost.

In our interview, the filmmakers discuss the challenges of condensing generations of stories into one documentary, while also addressing the urgency of representation in today’s climate.

Click Below To Watch Interview