Kristina Wong: Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

In this filmed version of her popular one-woman show Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, performance artist and monologist Kristina Wong announces upfront that she wants to talk about the high rate of depression and suicide among Asian-American women. But it takes an awfully long time for her to reach her ostensible subject, and she sorely taxes the viewer's patience along the way. Wong adopts an oddly narcissistic approach here, describing how her own attempts at empowering women have led to something akin to a nervous breakdown, and she doesn't score any points with juvenile asides (including making orgasmic sounds to underscore the meaning of “climax” in a narrative arc). Still, the show picks up once she begins inhabiting characters and shedding light on the real socio-psychological issues faced by some Asian-American females, many of whom suffer from lack of support, feel under pressure to appear problem-free, and shy away from speaking openly (even to one another) about problems with depression and anxiety. Once Wong goes down that road, she has much to offer—but only if viewers wait out the tiresome preface. DVD extras include audio commentary with Wong and director Michael Closson, as well as behind-the-scenes featurettes. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)