ABOUT THE CAST

~ Jeffrey Chyau ~ Sung Kang ~ Jade Wu ~ Samantha Futerman ~ Alexis Chang ~
~ full cast and crew list ~ about the filmmakers ~

Jeffrey Chyau (Ernest) – Jeffrey Chyau was born in 1991 in New York City. He grew up in midtown Manhattan where he enjoyed 12 good years of his childhood. He has traveled to many places around the world, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Jeffrey has been involved in show business since a young age.  He was offered a role in “Miss Saigon” and a role in the musical “The King and I,” but he was not interested. He has done many commercials, including ones for IBM and the NBA. “The Motel” is Jeffrey’s feature film debut. Jeffrey graduated from P.S.11 elementary school, a school for the gifted and talented and currently attends Middle School 104 while processing his applications to the best New York City high schools.

Sung Kang (Sam) – Originally from Gainesville, GA, Sung Kang began his acting career in Los Angeles with the Friends and Artists Theater Ensemble.  His work in experimental theater eventually led to guest starring roles in television and feature films (“Pearl Harbor”, “Antwone Fisher”).  Sung makes his second appearance at Sundance this year, his first was in the role of Han in the critically acclaimed film “Better Luck Tomorrow” (2002 dramatic competition).

Jade Wu (Ahma) - In theatre, Jade has worked with veteran directors Blanka Zizka, Alan Schneider, Gerald Gutierrez, Rob Bundy, Liv Cuilei, and Joanne Akalaitis. In film and television, she has worked with Barry Levinson, Tom Fontana, Jerry Bruckheimer, Spike Lee, Bronwyn Hughes, Chris Chulack, Uli Edel and Clark Johnson.

Recent television credits include: “The Jury”, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “One Life to Live”, “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “The Adversaries.” Film credits include: “She Hate Me”, “Enemy of the State”, and “Forces of Nature”.

She was most recently seen Off-Broadway in “Comfort Women” in NY. She has recreated the role of Mother God Damn in the revival of Broadway's “The Shanghai Gesture” and originated the role of Naima in “Barriers”.  Last year, Jade was cast in a role written for a Caucasian playing the role of Sharon Bates in “Book of Days” at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC. In the same year she played Sonja Wong Pickford in Chay Yew's “Red” at The Wilma in Philadelphia.

(Originally, Jade's recurring role on ABC's “One Life to Live” was written for a Caucasian named Judith Pinkham.  After she auditioned, the role was renamed Judith Chen and she booked the job.)

Jade is also a playwright and theatre director. Her current documentary film “In Search of Golden Phoenix” was an official selection in 2002 IFPMarket's "Spotlight on Docs", finalist in the 2001 Sundance Producers' Conference Workshop, and an official selection as a work-in-progress at the 2001 Asian American International Film Festival. She is a NYSCA Media Arts Awardee and Panelist, Jerome Foundation Fellow and an International Emmy Awards Juror for Acting in a Drama Series. She holds a BS in Biochemistry and an MFA in Theatre for acting, writing and directing.

Samantha Futerman (Christine) – Samantha Futerman has trained for the past five years in Millburn, NJ at the Papermill Playhouse Summer Conservatory.  She has also performed on the Papermill stage in “The King and I,” “Miss Saigon,” and “New Voices 2001-2005.”  Not only on stage, she has been in various commercials for Nickelodeon and Disney.  In the eleventh grade, Samantha transferred from Verona High School in New Jersey to the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City as a musical theater major.  She is currently as senior at PPAS, and filming “Memoirs of a Geisha” as the character Satsu.

Alexis Chang (Katie) – Alexis began acting at the age of six when she made her television debut on “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”  Since then she has appeared in numerous commercials and short films.  Alexis was delighted to play Katie in her first feature film, “The Motel.”

In addition to acting, Alexis is a competitive gymnast, an avid skier and snowboarder and loves to play soccer with her traveling team, Lightening.  She is an 8 year old 3rd grader and likes to read, write stories and draw.
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