Life can be difficult for a child, especially when their parent’s work requires them to resettle every few years. Elizabeth Liang is intimately familiar with these struggles. As a self-described “global nomad,” she spent her childhood hopping from culture to culture.
Born in Guatemala, she moved to Connecticut when her father’s job at Xerox required him to relocate. There, Elizabeth began improving her English but lost her mother tongue, Spanish. She found herself unable to express herself in either language. These issues and others impacted her life as she moved back to Central America and then North Africa, leading to some intriguing experiences.
Using minimalist set dressing and some multimedia elements, Elizabeth tells us her life story. Her experience as a multiracial Third Culture Kid (TCK) presents both a captivating story and an interesting case study into the mind of a person who was raised in six different countries and five languages.
Elizabeth Liang’s one-woman show is a must-see for fans of the genre. Alien Citizen delves deep into Elizabeth’s childhood, delivering every sensation and emotion she can convey as we trace her personal history. The love of family in Guatemala, the lush beaches of Panama, the unforgiving Moroccan desert, and the busy streets of Egypt unfold before us as Elizabeth seems to relive some of her strongest memories.
Travel lovers will enjoy the cultural perspective shared in Alien Citizen, while others will enjoy the stagecraft or feminist perspective. Professors of acting may be interested in this title for its experimental elements. Alien Citizen combines compelling storytelling with thought-provoking insights into the complexities of identity and belonging. The documentary offers a rich and enlightening theatrical experience. Highly Recommended. Editor’s Choice.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Alien Citizen belongs on theater and biography shelves.
What type of film series could use this title?
Any series on one-person shows would benefit from the addition of Alien Citizen.