"Barrier Device" is a 2002 short film written and directed by Grace Lee. It stars Sandra Oh as a sex researcher and Suzy Nakamura as a subject. It won four awards, including the silver medal at the 29th Student Academy Awards.

Barrier Device
Directed byGrace Lee
Written byGrace Lee
Produced by
  • Caroline Libresco
  • Rosie Wong
Starring
CinematographyPatricia Lee
Edited byGrace Lee
Music by
  • Billy Cote
  • Mary Lorson
Release date
Running time
26 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Researcher Audrey conducts a study on female condoms. In the course of her work, she discovers that Serena, one of her subjects, is romantically involved with her ex-fiancé. Torn between professional integrity and curiosity, Audrey attempts to learn more about Serena's life without compromising her work.

Cast

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  • Sandra Oh as Audrey
  • Suzy Nakamura as Serena
  • Melinda Peterson as Dr. Campbell
  • Jonathan Liebhold as Dwight
  • Brian Kim as Brian

Production

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Barrier Device was Grace Lee's master's thesis at UCLA. Lee directly asked Oh to appear in her film.[2]

Release

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Barrier Device premiered at the 2002 CAAMFest.[1]

Reception

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Awards

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Year Organization Award Recipient Result Ref
2002 Student Academy Awards Silver medal Grace Lee Won [3]
2002 Urbanworld Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Grace Lee Won [4]
2002 Palm Springs International Film Festival Best Short over 15 Minutes Grace Lee Won [5]
2002 Directors Guild of America Best Asian American Film Grace Lee Won [6]
2002 San Diego Asian Film Festival Best Narrative Short Barrier Device Won [7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Marquez, Mayra (2002-05-05). "All eyes on Lee". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  2. ^ Ryan, Tim (2007-01-25). "Slamdance: Interview with "American Zombie"'s Grace Lee". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  3. ^ "25 NEW FACES OF INDEPENDENT FILM 2002". Filmmaker (Summer 2002). Retrieved 2014-10-04.
  4. ^ Oei, Lily (2002-08-12). "Urban fest fetes 'Manito'". Variety. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  5. ^ Berkshire, Geoff (2002-08-12). "Palm laurels go to 'Wormhole'". Variety. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  6. ^ McNary, Dave (2002-10-23). "DGA honors student helmers". Variety. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  7. ^ "SDAFF Award Winners | Pacific Arts Movement". pacarts.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-19. Retrieved 2018-04-27.

Further reading

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