FACE OF A NATION
TRAILER
THE STORY
Daughter of immigrants, an idealistic American architect struggles to keep her dream alive as she journeys to discover why America abandoned World's Fairs.
For generations of Americans, World’s Fairs captured visions of hope for the future as part of their collective memory. Mina Chow became fascinated when she saw pictures of her parents at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Beginning with their stories, Mina shares this legacy and American values that inspired her to become an architect.
She is excited to go to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. With over 73 million visitors, this World’s Fair breaks attendance records in all of human history. But what she discovers there not only destroys her confidence as an American architect; it is symptomatic of a country that has lost its way. Mina is discouraged but she begins a search for answers.
PRESS KIT
REVIEWS & CITATIONS
"No Creative Vision, No Values: Mina Chow's "Face of a Nation: What Happened to the World's Fair?"
November 04, 2017 --Anna Battista
CRITICS
The documentary film FACE OF A NATION couldn't be more timely. It comes at a moment when the United States seems to be turning inward and pursuing a new kind of isolationism. This film illustrates that part of America's greatness has long been affirmed by its generous outreach to the world through international engagement and more particularly by proactive, creative participation in expositions around the globe.
--Roger K. Lewis, Washington Post columnist, Shaping the City
Why has the U.S. stopped participating in World's Fairs? FACE OF A NATION traces the penny-wise, pound-foolish lack of participation from the point of view of a true patriot. Mina Chow wants American ideals to shine on the world stage again, and you will too after seeing her troubling but ultimately hopeful journey. Everyone should experience her passion, and ask the questions in this important film.
--Fred Bernstein, NY Times/WSJ/Architectural Record
As America’s image abroad becomes increasingly ugly, this urgently dispiriting but ultimately tender and optimistic film is a reminder of the days in which we put our best face forward in the magnificent pavilions that were once the stars of World’s Fairs. FACE OF A NATION blisteringly depicts the humiliating, U.S. representation that has become the norm for our participation, recalling when we proudly showed what was truly superb about our design culture, that used to mesmerize and inspire millions.
--Michael Sorkin, Village Voice/NY Times/Metropolis/Vanity Fair
My earliest memory was a narrow escalator (narrow even for a four year old in 1939) going up within the Perisphere, designed by two of the most prominent architects of their day - Harrison and Abramowitz - at the New York City World’s Fair and viewing the "City of Tomorrow." I have that memory in my head, it has been with me my whole life — a life of architecture, urban design, and communications. World’s Fairs and America’s involvement in them has formed a seminal part of my life. To lose that wonder is a national tragedy, a tragedy that FACE OF A NATION exposes.
--Richard Saul Wurman, TED Conference Founder
Chow... convincingly demonstrates in her film that the result of this shortsighted decision has been a series of national embarrassments.
--Witold Rybczynski, Architect Magazine
