A Great Divide
Directed by Jean Shim
United States | Drama | 2023 | 1 h 40 m
Benjamin Lee (Emerson Min, Always Be My Maybe), a Korean American teen recovering from a devastating loss, leaves the Bay Area with his family for a fresh start in the rural expanses of Wyoming, where he encounters hostility from his new classmates and accidentally antagonizes the most powerful man in town. When his friend and secret crush Ellie (Miya Cech, Beef) visits, the pair uncover a plot to drive the Lees from their new home — by putting Ellie's life in danger. Saving her may require Benjamin to find common ground with his biggest tormentor, school golden boy Hunter Drake (West Mulholland, Steven Soderbergh's Presence). This gorgeously shot exploration of loneliness, adolescent longing, the burden of being different, and the legacy of generational trauma features phenomenal performances by a rising trio of young stars and a star-studded cast of veterans, including Ken Jeong (The Hangover), Jae Suh Park (Friends from College), MeeWha Alana Lee (G20), Seamus Deaver (Castle) and Jamie McShane (Wednesday).​
Filmmaker in attendance. Film program will be followed by Q&A.
Cast: Ken Jeong, Jae Suh Park, Emerson Min, Miya Cech, Jamie McShane, West Mulholland, MeeWha Alana Lee, Marshall Allman, Seamus Dever
Written by: Jean Shim, Martina Nagel, Jeff Yang
Emmy Award-winning director Jean Shim started her career directing television promos, feature trailers, and commercials. In 1997, she teamed up with a New York-based company to launch their west coast office. As head Creative Director, Shim’s credits include directing image campaigns for the Sci-Fi Channel, launching a network for Samsung Korea (casting John Cho), and creating main titles for Rysher Entertainment and Buena Vista Television. Shim also helped re-launch The Learning Channel by conceptualizing, directing, and producing all of their on and off-air commercials.
In 1999, she started her own production company, Shim Films Inc., where she oversaw a staff of designers, directors, and producers in both Los Angeles and London. Her roster of shows and clients included ABC, Disney, King World, 20th Century Fox, and A&E Network.
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In 2005, Jean transitioned to independent filmmaking. She was accepted to the Tribeca Film Festival All Access as a new director that same year. She directed Starlight Inn, a short film starring Tamlyn Tomita (Joy Luck Club, Karate Kid) and Erin Daniels (The L Word, A Single Man). Starlight Inn was notable for featuring a woman director, producer, director of photography, editor, costume designer, and assistant director.
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She took a break from the industry to raise a family and returned in 2019 to focus on stories with compelling Asian narratives, In 2021, she produced Shaky Shivers (directorial debut of Sung Kang of The Fast and the Furious). Her directorial feature film debut, A Great Divide, has been awarded dozens of festival screenings, winning best picture, best performances, and audience awards.
