The Receptionist
The Receptionist is a 2016 drama film directed by London-based Taiwanese director Jenny Lu, starring Teresa Daley and Chen Shiang-chyi. Inspired by a true story, the film follows the lives of Asian migrant women who had arrived in London in hopes of a better life but end up taking jobs in an illegal massage parlor to survive. The film premiered at the Golden Horse Film Festival on 20 November 2016.
Premise
Tina is a Taiwanese graduate living in London with her British student architect boyfriend. Struggling to find work during the 2008 financial crisis, Tina takes a job as a receptionist at an illegal massage parlour. As she slowly gets to know the women who work there, she is forced to question her values and morals.Cast
- Teresa Daley as Tina
- Chen Shiang-chyi as Sasa
- Amanda Fan as Mei
- Josh Whitehouse as Frank
- Sophie Gopsill as Lily
- Teng Shuang as Anna
Production
The film received funding from Taiwan's Bureau of Audiovisual and [Music Industry Development], as well as through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.Release
The film has been an official selection at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Raindance Film Festival, the Taipei [Golden Horse Film Festival] the Durban International Film Festival, the Milan and Salento Film Festivals and the 40th Asian [American International Film Festival] in New York City.Reception
Critical response
The Receptionist has received an 88% rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian lauded it as "a valuable, intelligent debut." ''Elizabeth Kerr'' in The Hollywood Reporter gave it more mixed reviews.