Try Harder!

Try Harder!

24th TDF: Greek Premiere

San Francisco’s Lowell High, one of the best public schools in the country, draws high achievers – nearly 70% Asian Americans – from across the city into a fiercely competitive universe. The camera follows seniors through the hallways and into classrooms as the pressure intensifies to impress admissions officers at elite universities with their report cards, test scores, and overall awesomeness. The students proudly own their identity as nerds and tell their stories with candor and humor despite the stress. Will they achieve their dreams? What happens if they fail?

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Available at the Agora Market.

Direction: Debbie Lum
Cinematography: Kathy Huang, Lou Nakasako
Editing: Andrew Gersh, Amy Ferraris
Sound: Sean Havey, Lauren Kawana
Music: Diana Salier
Production: Debbie Lum LLC
Producers: Debbie Lum, Lou Nakasako, Nico Opper
Co-production: ITVS
Co-producers: Amy Ferraris
Executive producer: Lois Vossen, Sally Jo Fifer, Jean Tsien, Tony Hsieh, Roberto Grande, Mimi Pham, Kathryn Everett, Bryn Mooser, Naja Pham Lockwood, Geralyn Dreyfous, Yun-Fang Juan, Tracy Chou
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: USA
Production Year: 2021
Duration: 84΄
Contact: Autlook Filmsales
Awards/Distinctions: Essy Award for Best St. Louis Film – SLIFF 2021

14+

Debbie Lum

Filmography

2005 Chinese Beauty (short fiction)
2012 Seeking Asian Female
2021 Try Harder!