The Road to Fame tells a unique story of coming-of-age with Chinese characteristics. The film chronicles the staging of the American musical Fame--China's first official collaboration with Broadway--by the senior class at China's top drama academy as their graduation showcase. During the eight-month process, five students compete for roles, struggle with pressure from family and authority, and prepare to graduate into a cutthroat and corrupt show business. Part of China's One-Child generation, they have been spoiled growing up but are now obliged to carry on the failed dreams of their parents. They must confront complex social realities and their own anxieties, and, in the process of staging Fame, negotiate their own paths to success in today's China. 83 min.

* A discussion with Director Hao Wu will follow after the screening.

About Director Hao Wu:

Originally trained as a molecular biologist, Hao Wu traveled to the Internet world before focusing on filmmaking and writing. He directed and produced Beijing or Bust, his first feature documentary that was shown on PBS. His second feature documentary, The Road to Fame, received funding from The Ford Foundation JustFilms and was co-produced by BBC, VPRO, CNEX, DR, Center for Asian American Media and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In the Internet world, Wu worked in management positions in Silicon Valley and with Alibaba and Yahoo in China. From 2008-2011, he was the China Country Manager for TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website.
Wu holds a Master of Science degree from Brandeis University, an MBA degree with High Distinction from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He is currently a fellow at the New America Foundation. His writing has appeared on Time.com, Slate.com, Marketplace Radio, Strait Times and China Daily.