Following its local premiere at BAMPFA and critical acclaim at New Directors/New Films, this groundbreaking independent hit inspired generations of filmmakers and was named to the National Film Registry. Today it still seems fresh, intelligent, inventive. Playing with the pleasures and conceits of film noir, Wang imbues his irreverent puzzler with humor and a Chinese philosophical perspective: what isn’t there is as important as what is. Wood Moy is a natural as Jo, a San Francisco taxi driver, who with ABC nephew Steve (Marc Hayashi) turns detective in pursuit of FOB Chan. Their search illuminates complex identities and allegiances as mystery blends with social documentary. Wang’s love for cinema shines throughout.