FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3.11.2005

Short-Film Generates Awareness Amidst Controversy

NEW YORK- Fields of Mudan was never intended to be just a good story. It has already won Best Student Short Film at its premier at Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose and has received critical acclaim. More importantly, as the film gains recognition, it is shedding light on a dark injustice.

Fields of Mudan follows the heartbreaking story of a young Chinese girl named Mudan, who, unsuspectingly, is thrown into a life of child prostitution and modern day slavery. As she pieces together this new reality, her only hope is the dream of a new life in America with her mother.

Due to its sensitive subject matter, Fields of Mudan first garnered negative interest in pre-production. When news broke that an FSU graduate film student was making a movie about Chinese child prostitution, the Chinese community in Florida protested the production of the film. Casting calls became difficult as Chinese actors and actresses shied away.

On the flipside, Terry Coonan, a world renowned expert in human trafficking, caught wind of Fields of Mudan in pre-production as well. He became the technical advisor for the film and decided to finance parts of the project. Federal judges and human rights organizations soon became interested in the film, seeing it as an aid to generating awareness.

The 23 minute short is a Florida State University graduate thesis film, written and directed by Stevo Chang, and stars 8-year old Nicole Nishimoto as Mudan. This film was made in conjunction with the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.

Fields of Mudan is a 2006 Academy Awards qualifier for Narrative Short Film and is screening at select film festivals worldwide.