U.S. Feature Film: When He Comes Back | 美国故事片《西雅图没有雨》

“When he comes back” (西雅图没有雨) is a riveting transnational drama from Chinese-American director, Keith Q. Chen, in which the tangled tapestry of love, loyalty, and personal identity unfurls against the backdrop of cultural dislocation. Set predominantly in Seattle, the narrative follows Lucy, an immigrant torn between two worlds. Her sense of self is fragmented, both within her evolving domestic sphere and amidst the shifting sands of cross-cultural living. The film navigates Lucy’s emotional landscape; in her family, the presence of her father’s new fiancée poses challenges to their bond, while in her personal life, her long-standing relationship with Leon culminates in a looming engagement. However, the sudden re-emergence of Cary, a college confidante and former muse for Lucy’s photography passions, ignites dormant emotions. Their shared history, rife with palpable tension and unspoken affections, adds layers of complexity to the narrative. The countryside sojourn, meant to be a celebratory weekend retreat of duck hunting and nature photography with Cary’s uncle Bill, swiftly transforms into a crucible of mounting tensions. The juxtaposition of serene landscapes of Washington State clashes with the trio’s tumultuous dynamics. After a distressing episode of physical violation —Leon forcing Lucy into sex while Cary sits in the next room- and emotional turbulence, the film reaches a poignant climax when Leon is found unconscious in the mud the following day, his life hanging in the balance. Accusations fly and Cary finds himself ensnared in a web of suspicion. While the undercurrents of passion, betrayal, and tragedy flow through the storyline, the film truly shines in its exploration of Lucy’s inner journey. Amidst the chaos, Lucy embarks on a path of self-reflection, grappling with the trauma of her past and the promise of a future she must now redefine. In the end, “this film is an evocative exploration of the dislocated psyche and the intricacies of cultural assimilation. It compellingly delves into the challenges of self-identity, the fragility of relationships, and the relentless pursuit of self-actualization.

Credits

Keith Q. Chen: Director, Audition, Not Bad Boy, Chinese Dream, Love Me Like a Rock
Keith Q. Chen: Writer, Audition, Not Bad Boy, Chinese Dream, Love Me Like a Rock
David John Roberts: Writer, Love Me Like a Rock
Celine LiProducer: Audition, Past Live Project, Get in and Go, Xiao Zhuang Mi Shi
Jaysen Lai: Key Cast, “Leon Chin”Skoolbo Pre School Play, The Lies We Tell Ourselves, Nocturnal Animals, San Andreas,
William Poole: Key Cast, “Cary Mitchell” Deadlocked, Beach Town, Love Eclectic,
Celine Li: Key Cast, “Lucy, Wan Rong Lu”Audition, Past Live Project, Get in and Go, Xiao Zhuang Mi Shi
Jian Ping Xie: Key Cast, “Ken, Zhongken Lu”
Adrien Gamache: Key Cast, “Bill J. Moore”The Penitent Man, Beta Test, Junk,
Lisa Skvarla: Key Cast, “Kristin Harrison”Woodstock or Bust, Divine Shadow, The Wonderland Murders
Stephen Kelsey: Key Cast, “Elderly Man”The Librarians, The Funeral, Something Blue
Dorothea Aunger: Key Cast, “Elderly Woman”Honeymoon
LoraBeth Barr: Key Cast, “Anna Hatfield”Strangers, Tel jour, telle nuit
Joe Handelman: Key Cast, “Nick Zaleski”Z Nation
Xin Qin Cui: Key Cast, “Ping”Gou Yan Kan Ren Xin, Another Shot
Ryan Purcell: Key Crew, Good Kisser, Bali: Beats of Paradise, Father Africa
Peter Spawn: Key Crew, ALT, Last Seen in Idaho, The Son the Father
Nicolas Errèra: Key Crew, Hidden Man, The Confession, Mountain Cry
Baek Seung Hoon: Key Crew, Mr. Tree
John Nolan: Key Crew, The Perfect Match, Hancock, Once Upon a Time in China and America
Mark Headley: Key Crew, Mississippi Murder, The Cursed, Visioneers, Stand-ins
Anthony Liu: Key Crew, Stateside
Tiffany Tingting Zhao: Key Crew, Beauty and the Beast, Get Out, Spectral, 22 Jump Street, Now You See Me
Jifu Li: Key Crew, The Grandmaster, Primal Rage: The Legend of Konga
Xi Shen: Key Crew, Blood Craft, Wally Got Wasted
Roy Yu Sun: Key Crew, Family from Tang, Malibu Dan the Family Man,
Chang Hsun Pan Nathan: Key Crew, Farewell Summer, Loves Me Like a Rock
Fan He: Key Crew, Mojin – The Lost Legend