THE COMMITMENT, a film by Chinese-American director and actor Albert M. Chan,
THE COMMITMENT, a film by Chinese-American director and actor Albert M. Chan, has been nominated for a 2013 National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Media Award in the category of Best Feature Film. The two other films competing in the same category are Oscar-nominated MOONRISE KINGDOM (starring Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton) and WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING (starring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Dennis Quaid). The public is welcome to cast votes until March 15 at http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/vote-for-the-2013-nasw-media-awards.html, with the winner being announced at the NASW Annual Leadership Meeting in April 2013.
THE COMMITMENT is the story of Robert (Chan) and Ethan (Jason Lane Fenton), an interracial gay couple who have been chosen by a pregnant Asian woman (Kerri Patterson) to adopt her baby. They meet in the office of an adoption social worker (Mary Niederkorn), they make a connection, and then things take an odd turn.
Chan was inspired to make this film after he and his husband of seven years decided to expand their family through adoption. “We went through a lot of ups and downs during the adoption process, so a lot of the movie is based on what actually happened,” Chan says.
While THE COMMITMENT is indeed about adoption and gay parenting and features Asian characters, Chan emphasizes that it is really a universal love story about two people committed to each other and having the strength of that bond tested under very trying circumstances.
“Audiences at film festivals have really related to the film and are usually cheering by the end of it,” laughs Chan. The film has already picked up the Audience Award for Best Short at Desperado LGBT Film Festival in Phoenix, Audience Favorite (Short Series) at Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, an Award of Excellence at the Canada International Film Festival, and a Best LGBT Film nomination at Out in the Desert: Tucson’s International LGBT Film Festival.
Critics have been praising THE COMMITMENT for its realism, strong acting performances, and emotional complexity. Richard Propes of THE INDEPENDENT CRITIC writes, “emotional resonance, joy and heartbreak…indeed, this is a film that would be difficult to pull off if not for its tremendously talented cast.” Mark Bell of FILM THREAT calls THE COMMITMENT “a fine dramatic film with some soft, almost deadpan comedic moments.” Meanwhile, Brian Morton of ROGUE CINEMA writes, “While any description of this movie will sound trite and simple, there’s nothing simple about this film. Filled with a depth of emotion, THE COMMITMENT is really a tale of love and what you’ll go through for it.”
THE COMMITMENT is produced by Chanal Productions, in association with 7 Fluid Oz. Productions LLP. For more information about the film, visit http://thecommitmentmovie.com.
The 2013 National Association of Social Workers Media Awards recognizes reporters, bloggers, columnists, television producers, movie directors and other media professionals who help raise awareness about the social work profession and issues important to social workers. The National Association of Social Workers is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 145,000 members.