Transplanted from Hong Kong to Vancouver on a temporary visa, Yin Tse (Isabella Wei, Bridgerton), a restless trophy wife, rises above her absentee husband’s infidelity by rekindling her passion for dancing. A chance encounter brings Yin under the wing of dance studio owner Penny (Helen Dang), who helps her train for an audition at an elite dance program. But when Yin’s wealthy husband (Hugh Tran) returns from Hong Kong, she is forced to choose between material comfort and the freedom to be herself.
Manifesting the rhythm and charm of Vancouver’s city streets, this earnest drama from acclaimed writer-director Mina Shum (Meditation Park, VIFF 2017) brings a zesty hip-hop flavour to her signature themes of self-discovery, personal liberation, and female solidarity in the Asian diaspora. Luminaries Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) and Tzi Ma (The Farewell) provide gravitas and comic relief, while the film’s charismatic cast of dancers delight us with their dazzling choreography. A tribute to the joys of self-expression through movement, Whatcha Want will have your heart doing backflips.
The Oct 9 screening of Whatcha Want is a Relaxed Screening. Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who could benefit from a more casual, supportive and laid-back experience. Learn more about Relaxed Screenings here.
Oct 2 & 7: Filmmaker Q&A
Media Partner
Isabella Wei, Ming-Na Wen, Tzi Ma, Helen Dang, Russell Lee, Hugh Tran
Canada
2026
In English, Cantonese, and Mandarin with English subtitles
Coarse language
Open to youth at The Park Theatre, VIFF Centre, and the Rio Theatre
At Fifth Ave
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Andrew Frank, Naveen Prasad, Tzi Ma, Ming-Na Wen
Producer
Stephen Hegyes, Mina Shum, Raymond Massey
Screenwriter
Mina Shum
Cinematography
Brian J. Johnson
Editor
Lara Mazur
Production Design
Michael Norman Wong
Original Music
Andrew Lockington
Mina Shum
Filmography: Double Happiness (1994); Drive, She Said (1997); Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity (2002); Meditation Park (2017)
Photo by Chris Chapman
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