America ReFramed Season 4 Episode 16 My Life in China

My Life in China is the sixteenth episode of America ReFramed season 4. This documentary offers a heartfelt journey of personal discovery and cultural heritage as filmmaker Kenneth Eng unveils his family's past. Eng is a Chinese-American who grew up in California with little knowledge of his father's history and life in China. Through his father's stories and his own curiosity, Eng embarks on a trip to China, searching for his roots and his family's legacy.

The documentary starts with Eng introducing the audience to his father, Yau-Man Eng, who worked as a scientist for NASA. Eng's father is a reserved man who never shared much about his past with his children. Yau-Man Eng grew up in a small Chinese village during World War II and experienced many traumatic events during the war and the Cultural Revolution. Eng is fascinated by his father's history and wants to understand more about his father's life in China before he came to America.

Eng's journey takes him to his father's village in Guangdong, China, where he discovers his family's ancestral home, a deteriorating house that has been abandoned for years. Eng's father visits the old house for the first time in decades and shares memories of growing up there. Eng also meets some of his distant relatives, including an aunt who is surprised to learn that Yau-Man Eng has children in America. Eng's journey into his family's past is emotional and poignant, and he discovers much about his heritage.

The documentary also touches on sensitive issues such as the Cultural Revolution, which disrupted the lives of many Chinese families. Eng meets with a former Red Guard member who participated in the destruction of a temple that held great significance to his family. The former Red Guard member shares his remorse and guilt over his actions and how he wishes he could make amends. Eng's encounter with the former Red Guard member is a powerful moment that highlights the effects of China's turbulent political history on its citizens.

Throughout the documentary, Eng shares his own personal struggles with identity and trying to fit into two different cultures. He admits to feeling disconnected from his Chinese heritage and how his trip to China helped him understand and appreciate his roots. Eng's journey is relatable to many immigrants and their children who often feel like they are caught between two worlds.

My Life in China is a beautiful and heartfelt story that explores the complexities of family, heritage, and identity. Eng's journey is a personal one, but it also reflects the experiences of many immigrants and their children who strive to connect with their cultural roots. The documentary offers a unique perspective on Chinese history and culture, and how it has intersected with the lives of Chinese immigrants in America. It is an emotional and thought-provoking journey that will leave viewers reflecting on their own family history.