Do you hear it? That siren song, mystically seeping into your conscious mind, drawing you closer with each lilting syllable.
That’s Shanghai’s calling.
Shanghai wants you.
Yes, you.
Actually, Shanghai Calling wants lots of us. They’re conducting an expat story contest, and the winner gets to travel to an upcoming international film festival.
Recently I was contacted by one of the folks supporting Shanghai Calling, asking if I’d join other expat/global nomad/serial wanderer and travel bloggers in helping to get the word out about a new expat stories contest they’re conducting.
Let’s see…movie about expats…incredible setting of Shanghai…seeking tales of real expat adventures…
Yep, I’m in.
Shanghai Calling is a heartwarming, independent film written and directed by Dan Hsia about the adventures and experiences of a small, diverse group of American expats in Shanghai.
It centers around the story of newly arrived business lawyer Sam (played by Daniel Henney), employed by a global legal services firm. Sam’s been sent to China by his corporate bosses to help seal a lucrative deal.
Not surprisingly, he encounters the shock of cultural confusion as West meets East.
Here, have a look at the movie trailer. The film’s already gaining acclaim worldwide, winning several awards at previous film festivals.
As the business arrangement starts to unravel, Sam must rely on the merry band of odd characters/fellow expats he’s come to know and trust.
I even like the tagline: ‘Sometimes the language you don’t speak is the one that speaks to you.’
This includes a talented, recognizable cast including Bill Paxton, Alan Ruck, Geng Le as the storied ‘fixer’ Awesome Wang, Zhu Zhu as Sam’s indispensable office assistant and Eliza Coupe as relocation specialist and potential romantic interest Amanda.
Yes, you read that correctly: relocation specialist.
See? They’ve done their homework. Okay, perhaps some most relocation specialists don’t offer the range of services Amanda does, or end up falling for their clients, but hey…it’s cinematic license.
The point is that it’s impressive that the filmmakers even knew what a relocation specialist is, let alone make one a character integral to this movie’s plot.
Now they’re looking for creative, original stories of expat adventure by real global nomads, past and present. And I know you each have a story or three that are humorous, touching, unusual or just plain odd.
If you have a true story about traveling, studying or living abroad, consider regaling everyone with a YouTube videocast of up to 3 minutes. (Don’t worry, they’re extremely easy to make, no need to be techno-phobic.)
The contest deadline is July 6th (Pacific Daylight Time), and you can check out the rules of the contest on the Shanghai Calling website.
Is Shanghai calling you?
Well then, what are you waiting for?
Hop over to YouTube, film a short video of your expat story, and answer.
[Image credit: Americatown LLC, shanghaicalling.com]
You had me at ‘relocation specialist’…ours were called ‘Asian Tigers.’
I’m not quite ready to write my own expat story, but maybe some of my expat friends or blog readers will be. I’m most definitely sharing this post and also re-blogging – and I can’t wait to see the film!
Thanks Caroline. I really like the idea of having contestants tell their own story on a short YouTube videocast, too. It’s different and timely.
Thanks for sharing Linda. It sounds like a unique possibility for third culture kids to share their story too. I see on the website that you can tell the story, act it out, write a song, just use your creativity. Sounds fun!
I had heard of the film, but not of the contest. Greetings Janneke
Thanks for RTing and commenting Janneke. I definitely think TCKs would love the concept of making YouTube videos rather than simply writing down their stories. So glad you’re getting the word out to your EXTENSIVE TCK network!
I have shared it with my Twitter and Facebook followers and I agree it sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to see the film, regardless of the outcome. (Ha!) Thanks for sharing Linda.
Thank you so much Mike, it looks like a fun movie to me, too. I have to say I’m excited by the presence of Bill Paxton, Alan Ruck and Geng Le: that’s quite a supporting cast!
How interesting! Can’t Wait to see it. There is so much fun & drama in an expats life so it can Definitely make à Movie! And – Bill Paxton!
Will RT om twitter
It will be fun to see it when it’s released here. No idea when that will be. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the expat story videos that will be made; you know there will be some interesting stories told!
Hi, this is Daniel Hsia, the writer/director of SHANGHAI CALLING. Thanks so much for supporting the contest and the movie! I’m glad that you caught the reference to “relocation specialists.” US audiences who haven’t spent much time abroad wonder if that’s a real job, and if everything else we depict in the movie is real. Yes, everything in the movie is based on real-life expat experiences!
As an independent film we need folks like you to help spread awareness of the movie. Let’s show audiences everywhere the peculiarities of international life!
Enter your videos in our contest to win a trip to see the movie in NY!
Again, many thanks,
Daniel
Thanks so much Daniel for stopping by, especially with a new baby on the way. We’ve had a good number of visits to the post, and I’ll continue to promote on FaceBook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. I think you’ve got the attention of various parts of the international expat community, and once people know they tend to monitor and spread the word. Can’t wait for premier dates.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Daniel, especially with a baby on the way! We’ve had good traffic to the post here and lots of people spreading the word. I’ll continue to promote on social media venues (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+). Can’t wait for the premier dates.
This looks great! Will spread the word at Communicating Across Boundaries! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Marilyn. I’m glad you commented as your site looks intriguing. Love the name and concept of communicating across boundaries. I really liked your Crayons post, and will be back to read more.