Crying In H Mart: A Journey of Food, Family, and Identity

Production Details

Title: Crying In H Mart

Format: Feature Film

Production Begins: Active Development

Filming Location: Vancouver – Seoul, South Korea

Producer: Stacey Sher, Jason Kim, Liliane Bedford

Writer: Michelle Zauner

Casting Directors: Carmen Cuba, Lexie Paik

Synopsis: In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far more than a dazzling singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With humor and heart, she tells of growing up one of the few Asian-American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother’s particular high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band – and meeting the man who would become her husband – her Korean-ness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother’s diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was 25, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.

Production Companies:

Shiny Penny

12230 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City,
CA 91604

tayler@shinypennypro.com

Eternal Leo Productions LLC

12230 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City,
CA 91604

tayler@shinypennypro.com

Orion Pictures

245 N. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills,
CA 90210

310-586-8011
amayo@orionpictures.com | gcanton@mgm.com

About Crying In H Mart

In this poignant film, Michelle Zauner shares her experiences as an Asian-American navigating family dynamics and cultural identity. Set against the backdrop of her upbringing in Eugene, Oregon, the narrative explores her relationship with her mother and the significance of food in their lives. Through both humor and heartache, Michelle illustrates the complexities of familial love and the impact of expectations. As Michelle transitions to adulthood, the distance from her heritage becomes more pronounced, especially after moving to the East Coast. The story takes a deeper turn when her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis challenges Michelle to confront her past and reconnect with her roots. This journey of self-discovery emphasizes the importance of culture, memory, and the bonds that shape who we are.