Snakehead

About Snakehead

Snakehead is an American crime drama film that was released in 2021. The movie director, Evan Jackson Leong, tells a story about a Chinese immigrant who gets by as a snakehead - a person who earns money through potentially illegal activities such as human smuggling. The story primarily focuses on Sister Tse, played by Shuya Chang, who came to New York City in search of a better life but finds herself embroiled in the city's dark underbelly.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Arowana Films, AT&T, and XYZ Films, with principal photography taking place in the bustling city of New York. Evan Jackson Leong, an accomplished documentary filmmaker, channels his roots in his first narrative feature, creating a vivid portrait of New York's Chinatown.

Actors

• Shuya Chang stars as Sister Tse, the gutsy protagonist seeking to achieve the American Dream in her risky, desperate way. Shuya's performance adeptly brings out the darkness and desperation of her character.
• Jade Wu skillfully plays Dai Mah, the snakehead matriarch, fully embodying her character's powerful presence and authority.
• Sung Kang, famous for his role in the Fast and Furious series, takes on the leading role of Rambo, Sister Tse’s cousin and ally whose loyalty becomes increasingly suspect as their lives intertwine with the underworld.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film marks Evan Jackson Leong's debut as a narrative feature film director. He previously worked predominantly on documentaries.
• The film is inspired by real-life Chinatown gangland stories which capture the tension and struggle inherent in the immigrant experience.

Awards

As of now, the film Snakehead has not won any awards.

Quotes

• "Money is money. If it ends up in your pocket, who cares where it comes from."
• "Chinatown...is no place for dreams."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s score provides a dark and gripping musical rollercoaster, highlighting the gritty nature of the film.
• Expect both traditional Chinese tracks mixed with contemporary sounds that blend seamlessly into the narrative.