Hello everyone,

My name is Celine Li, and I'm the producer leading the fundraiser for our indie film "When He Comes Back" (西雅图没有雨). I also played the main character, Lucy, in the film. "When He Comes Back" is a compelling love drama that follows the journey of Lucy, a Chinese immigrant in Seattle, as she navigates the complexities of identity, relationships, and self-discovery amidst cross-cultural challenges. Lucy’s journey deeply resonates with me as a Chinese immigrant in Seattle, and I channeled my personal experiences and emotions into the portrait of her character. Lucy's tale in "When He Comes Back" carries a universal message, inspiring us to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

We shot the film in the stunning northeastern WA and the lively city of Seattle a few years ago. Our production team consisted of a DGA director, amazing professional actors, and filmmakers from local Seattle, Los Angeles, and even China. After overcoming financial and other hurdles, we finally wrapped up post-production in 2019. But then, just as we were ready to showcase our creation and take it to film festivals, the global pandemic hit, throwing everything off track. Adding to the sorrow, we’ve also lost two dear friends and companions – the actor who played Uncle Billy, Adrien Gamache, who left us in 2019, and our first assistant director, John Nolan, who lost his battle with COVID-19 in 2020. With heavy hearts, may they rest in peace. Our only regret is that we couldn't have shared with them what we had created together sooner.

After the world's recovery from the pandemic in 2022, we began the commitment to bringing "When He Comes Back" to the world. Through our efforts, we’ve achieved some success at film festivals, winning two awards for Best Actress in a Feature Film at the Berlin Indie Film Festival and Boden International Film Festival, along with official selections at the Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles Hollywood, and International Diversity Film Festival. We received offers from five indie film sales and distribution companies at the American Film Market last November, ultimately securing a sales partnership through comparison and negotiations. Additionally, through several private screenings, we got enthusiastic feedback, with viewers finding the film both enjoyable and inspiring. However, while making an indie film is tough, distributing an indie film is even way tougher - a reality proven by our experience along this journey so far. But we will never give up. Our perseverance has been tireless. As we continue our pursuit of film festival circuits and industry connections, we're also gearing up to take matters into our own hands by marketing the film ourselves and introducing it to relevant communities through selected screenings, ensuring word of mouth and a broader release of our film.

To make our meaningful film “When He Comes Back” reach the audience it deserves and see the light of day, we rely on your support. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to cover essential costs supporting our marketing, film festivals, and community screening efforts. This will ensure a successful and meaningful film release to a wider audience in 2024, making it accessible to those who truly deserve to experience its significance.

The funds raised will be used for various critical expenses, including:

Total Goal Amount: [$15,000]

Let me provide you with more details about the film.

About the film

Title: When He Comes Back

Chinese Title: 西雅图没有雨

Genre: Drama/Romance

Language: English

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

Status: Completed

Logline:

In Seattle, a young immigrant faces love, loyalty, and identity dilemmas. A weekend retreat meant for introspection turns eerie, forcing her to address her future against a backdrop of trauma and cultural dislocation.

Synopsis:

The gripping love drama, "When He Comes Back" (西雅图没有雨), was written and directed by Chinese-American filmmaker Keith Q. Chen. The film follows Lucy, a Chinese immigrant in Seattle, as she grapples with her identity and the challenges of living between two worlds. Lucy's emotional journey unfolds within her evolving domestic sphere and the complexities of cross-cultural life. Her life takes a dramatic turn when an old flame, Cary, re-enters her life, and a weekend trip leads to unexpected trauma and soul-searching. "When He Comes Back" captures the intricate web of emotions, relationships, and the quest for self-discovery.

Director Statement: - Keith Q. Chen

Seattle has this melodramatic quality that encourages me to bring about the story I've been envisioning for years. It's almost as if the city itself was meant to be the backdrop of my tale. And with the incredible help of my friend David John Roberts, whom I met in Beijing, China – someone who has experienced both cultures just like me, but in reverse – we made a perfect team to bring this vision to life.

Love is universal, and its meaning can vary greatly across different cultures. Romance, in particular, is a type of love that can sometimes have a profound impact on one's life journey. In the world of film, Asian Americans have seen increased representation, breaking free from the stereotypes depicted in earlier Western cinema. This film also serves as a portrayal of the Asian American experience of dislocation in the USA, exploring the complexities of love, identity, and the journey of finding oneself.

Main Crew:

Director/Writer: Keith Q Chen

Producer: Celine Li

Director of Photography: Ryan Purcell

Production Designer: Peter Spawn

Editor: Baek Seung Hoon, Keith Q. Chen

Composer: Nicolas Errera

Main Cast:

Celine Li as Lucy, Wan Rong Lu

William Poole as Cary Mitchell

Jaysen Lai as Leon, Siu Long Chin

Some stills:

Some behind-the-scene pictures:

Trailer:

Your Impact

By supporting us, you're not only helping us release our film, but you're also contributing to the thriving indie filmmaking community. Your support enables us to tell unique stories that might not otherwise find their way to the screen.

Become a part of our journey by contributing to our fundraiser. Your support will make a significant difference in the success of "When He Comes Back" and the broader indie film landscape. PLEASE help us break through the barriers and reach larger and wider audiences!

Thank You

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for considering our campaign. Your contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to sharing "When He Comes Back" with the world. All contributors will receive exclusive updates on the film's progress.

In accordance with our fundraising guidelines, please note that no sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe campaign. Your support is genuinely appreciated for its charitable intent. Thank you.

Every contribution, regardless of its size, is greatly appreciated.

If you are not able to support financially, kindly consider sharing this fundraiser link with your friends and family to help spread the word, your efforts are just as meaningful.

You’re also welcome to follow us on our social media pages to stay updated and show your support.

To learn more about our film, please visit the following Links:

When He Comes Back Website

When He Comes Back IMDB

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates:

When He Comes Back Instagram

When He Comes Back Facebook

If you’re interested in working with us on marketing and distributing the film by offering equity investment or professional expertise in M/D, or you're connected to relevant communities, please feel free to contact us by clicking on the "Contact" button below.

From the depths of our hearts, thank you!

Celine & "When He Comes Back" family