Screening of ‘The Motel’ at JANM

Ernest (Jeffrey Chyau) and Sam (Sung Kang) in a scene from “The Motel.”

Big Trouble in Little Tokyo presents “The Motel” on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo.

An underappreciated gem that premiered to strong reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, “The Motel” is the heartwarming story of an Asian American boy coming of age. Thirteen-year-old Ernest Chin lives and works at an hourly-rate suburban motel. Alienated from his family, Ernest befriends Sam Kim, a troubled yet charismatic Korean man who checks into the motel and teaches the fatherless boy the rites of manhood. This film is unrated.

This special 10th anniversary screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Michael Kang (director/writer), Sung Kang (actor), Samantha Futerman (actor), Miguel Arteta (producer), and Gina Kwon (producer). There will be a cash bar reception at Far Bar after the program.

Pre-sale: $8 for JANM and Visual Communications members, $10 general. At the door (if available): $12 for JANM and VC members, $15 general. For more information, visit www.janm.org.

Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is a film series presented by JANM in partnership with Angry Asian Man, First Pond Entertainment, and Visual Communications.