Center for Asian American Media

MY NAME IS BELLE presents an autobiographical snapshot of the immigrant experience through the eyes of a 7-year-old child. Belle Yang, artist and writer, uses herself as the model for the fictional pig-tailed girl named Hannah who arrives from Taiwan. Belle, as Hannah, faces change and loneliness - the difficulty of learning a new language, a new culture, even a new name, and of living with tension while waiting for green cards, longing to be citizens.

Using vignettes straddling time…dipping into Belle’s past and present, the documentary capitalizes upon Belle’s distinctive vision of storytelling and paintings to tell stories. This documentary taps into the hopes and fears all immigrants must experience when they try to grab hold of the American dream.

...one of the best resources I’ve reviewed. Through the voice of a child and the eyes of an artist, it explains the physical and mental struggles many immigrants endure. Materials like this video, to start and support discussions in the classroom are invaluable.

- Claire Tesh, American Immigration Law Foundation, Immigration Curriculum Center, Washington, DC

I applaud you for sharing your story of immigration and hope that it will be heard...

- Nancy Pelosi

Belle's voice is so true and pure it is capable of washing away the grainy layers of cynicism.

- Amy Tan

Awards
CINE Golden Eagle Award, 2007

Recognition
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Pacific Rim Film Festival

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group

Note for K-12/Public Library/Community Groups

If there is no discount pricing listed, please contact us.

For details and for previews, email distribution@asianamericanmedia.org
or call (415) 552-9550.