Terminal USA (1993) is a controversial film by Jon Moritsugu that explores themes of family, drugs, violence and Asian American stereotypes. Its run time is 54 minutes and it is estimated to have had a budget of $365,000.
Beginnings and controversy
Terminal USA started out as an entry for a script competition for PBS. The script won $12,000 from that competition and the film was shown on television and created quite an uproar. "I was pushing the envelope trying to get crazy shit on TV. For a while we thought we were going to get a lawsuit. The producer said, ‘Let's work it. This is our publicity.'"(Director Jon Moritsugu) When people were questioning the National Endowment for the Arts for funding projects considered controversial, Terminal USA was one of the films used as an example for one of the controversial projects funded.
Terminal USA was almost put on Japan/US flights for Northwest Airlines, but they decided against it at the last minute.
Festivals and awards
Museum of Modern Art, NYCToronto Film FestivalRotterdam Film FestivalGoteberg Film FestivalCopenhagen Film FestivalV'iennale, AustriaThe Fringe Fest, AustraliaMusee d'Art Moderne, ParisInstitute of Contemporary Arts, LondonYerba Buena Center for the Arts, SFMicrocinefest, BaltimoreSF Asian American Film FestivalWritten and directed by Jon MoritsuguSharon Omi - MaKen Narasaki - DadKenny Lang - GrandpaJenny Woo - HollyJon Moritsugu - Marvin/KatsumiAmy Davis - EightballVictor of Aquitaine - Tom Sawyer the LawyerTimothy Innes - FagtoastPeter Friedrich - RexBonnie Dickenson - SallyJacques Boyreau - Tabitha the SkinheadGregg Turkington - SixElizabeth Canning - MuffyJoshua Pollock - PizzaboyLady - Hot Lust OperatorIssa Bowser - Buffy (Head Cheerleader)Kathleen Blihar - CheerleaderTami Lipsey - CheerleaderDesi Del ValleAlberto Garcia - executive producerMarlina Gonzalez - executive producerTimothy Innes - associate producerJames Schamus - executive producerAndrea Sperling - producerBrian Burman - original musicMichelle Handelman - original musicSugarshock - original musicTodd Verow - cinematographyGary Weimberg - film editorJennifer M. Gentile - production designJason Rail - hair stylist/make-up artistTracy Thompson - production managerErica Marcus - first assistant directorMonte Cezazza - sound designerMichelle Handelman - sound designerEdwin Schenderlein - gafferElizabeth Canning - costumerSteve Bloom - first assistant editorMonte Cezazza - sound supervisor
