Supported by The City of Melbourne Arts Grant, The Best Dumplings in Melbourne is a new comedy short film that tells the tale of three friends who embark on the most impossible mission in Melbourne…to find the best dumplings.
The Best Dumplings in Melbourne is a passion project by the AACTA-nominated Chinese-Australian director, Brendan Wan, whose credits include ABC’s Gourmet Lazy and China Tonight.
“This short film is essentially my love letter to Chinatown and Melbourne’s obsession with the beloved dumpling. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Melbourne, Chinatown was the first to be affected and although we’ve come out of lockdown, Chinatown has somewhat become a shadow of its former self. Many iconic restaurants in the area have unfortunately closed after many decades of operating and serving Melbourne locals,” says Wan.
It’s easy to see why The Best Dumplings in Melbourne is tipped to receive excellent critical reception. During pre-production, Brendan secured additional funding to cover the filming costs through a successful crowdfunding campaign that attracted the attention of Hollywood actor, Remy Hii, and former Masterchef contestant, Amir Manoly.
“As a Chinese-Australian, Chinatown has a special place in my heart. With this short film, I hope that it could help revitalise public interest in the area and give Melbournians the confidence and enthusiasm to once again visit Chinatown and support the local businesses.”
The Best Dumplings in Melbourne is an 11-minute comedy short film now publicly released online via youtube and vimeo
