The San Francisco Chronicle writes on the release of “The Princess of Nebraska,” a film centering on the experiences of two Chinese immigrants in America.
Thirteen films opened in San Francisco on Friday, ranging from Josh Brolin’s portrayal of the current president in Oliver Stone’s “W.” to “Sukiyaki Western Django,” a Japanese spaghetti Western.
Wayne Wang‘s latest film is not among them, yet it has the biggest release of all.
The director who defied traditional independent film release strategies when the ultra-low-budget “Chan Is Missing” became a hit in 1982 is now banking on cyberspace. His “The Princess of Nebraska,” a San Francisco-shot tale of a young Chinese immigrant dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, is thought to be the first feature film by a major director to premiere – without a domestic theatrical or DVD release – on the Internet.
The companion film to Wang’s “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers,” which was released in the traditional way – in theaters – last month, “Princess” is available in high-definition to anyone with a broadband connection at YouTube’s recently launched Screening Room (scroll over for film).
