Harry Shum Jr. is one of two bright young Asian American rising stars in the festival opening-night film, “White Frog.” The other is 18-year-old Booboo Stewart (“The Twilight Saga“). They represent the new, multitalented generation (both also dance, and Stewart also is a singer-songwriter). Veteran actors Joan Chen (“The Last Emperor“) and San Francisco-born B.D. Wong (“Law & Order: SVU”), who play Stewart’s parents, are part of the generation who helped raise the profile of Asians in film and television in the 1980s and ’90s. “White Frog” is a big opportunity for Stewart in particular. He is the main character, Nick, a teenager afflicted with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Nick, mourning the death of his brother (Shum) and at odds with his parents (Chen, Wong), seeks refuge with his brother’s friends.
“It was a really difficult role,” Stewart said. “I never worked so hard in my life! But it was the best time I had on a film set. We became like a family, helping each other, and not just the cast, but the crew as well. On the ‘Twilight’ films, they’re big productions, it’s a little impersonal. You don’t get to know the crew, for example.”
Difficult, perhaps, but Stewart nailed the role – not easy when, as a character with a form of autism, you have to keep your emotions in check.
“He really impressed me,” Shum said of Stewart. “I’ve known him for awhile. I remember when we did a music video, back in the day. But him coming from the ‘Twilight’ world – I thought he did a great job with the role.”
Director Quentin Lee said, “Booboo Stewart is the most supportive actor I’ve ever worked with. When he did the film, he was 17, but he was so mature. He worked really, really hard and was a dream to work with.”
Booboo Stewart, Harry Shum Jr., Joan Chen and Quentin Lee are scheduled to attend the opening-night screening Thursday at the Castro Theatre, San Francisco followed by a gala party at the Asian Art Museum.
