MOVIES: Admiral Theater ‘super excited’ about upcoming run of Seattle-set “Paper Tigers”

That’s the trailer for The Paper Tigers,” a martial-arts comedy that’s scheduled for a week-long run at West Seattle’s only moviehouse, The Admiral Theater, starting Friday (May 14th). The Admiral’s general manager Marina Kosenko emailed to let us know about it because this is a Seattle-set/filmed movie with “quite a backstory,” as she explains:

“Writer/director Bao Tran pitched the screenplay to Hollywood. The financiers wanted to produce, with the caveat that the actors be white. Instead of capitulating to Hollywoodā€™s frequent whitewashing, he returned to Seattle and started a very successful fundraiser, which spurred private donors to pitch in as well. Filming started in Seattle in 2019, and included an extensive local crew. The film will be released 5/7 in only one local theater, Cinemark Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue. I didnā€™t find out about the movie until Monday when I saw it on several news platforms. Unfortunately, our bookings for the 5/7-5/13 week were already solidified, but Iā€™ve since had conversations with our booker, Jeff Brein (owner), Bao Tran, and their distributor to bring the film to The Admiral. Iā€™m super excited about this film and think the West Seattle audience will appreciate it as well, given the content, local ties, and perseverance of the Paper Tigers crew.”

Among the outlets that have reported on the movie’s backstory is Northwest Asian Weekly. If you’re not up for in-theater viewing yet, the movie also will be released for video-on-demand Friday; if you are, you can check the schedule and buy online tickets via the website for The Admiral (which is at 2343 California SW).

15 Replies to "MOVIES: Admiral Theater 'super excited' about upcoming run of Seattle-set "Paper Tigers""

  • Lisa May 9, 2021 (2:25 pm)

    What an amazing backstory. Luv the trailer! What platforms can we use to buy it Video on Demand?

    • Melanie May 9, 2021 (3:27 pm)
      • It can be streamed on the following (2021 movie): 
      • Apple TV / iTunes
      • Prime Video (Amazon)
      • Google Play / YouTube Movies
      • Vudu
      • Microsoft Store / Xbox
      • Sony / PlayStation
      • FandangoNOW
      • Comcast Xfinity
      • Charter / Spectrum
      • DirecTV
      • AT&T U-verse
      • Cox Communications
      • Verizon
      • Frontier Communications
      • Lisa May 10, 2021 (9:03 am)

        Thank you, Melanie! I’ll stream it. 

  • Auntie May 9, 2021 (4:50 pm)

    Thank you, Bao, for standing up for Asians playing Asian parts! The days of Iron Eyes Cody (native American played by Italian actor) and his ilk should be over. It shouldn’t even be a question anymore.

  • Kris May 9, 2021 (9:45 pm)

    So excited about this. I just moved to W. Sea in December, and I’m the editor of this film. Stoked to have it playing at my neighborhood theater!! Please go support this flick. Super proud of it.

    • Heather Pilder Olson May 10, 2021 (7:44 am)

      So cool! Woke up to this news today. Now we’ll have to go see it again in our local theater. With the kids! Congratulations. ;)

      • Kris May 11, 2021 (12:41 pm)

        Ha! Thanks, Heather. Are we neighbors?

    • JayEmme May 10, 2021 (9:54 pm)

      Welcome to the neighborhood, Kris! Many congrats on the film. Our family is very excited to support and will definitely patronize Admiral Theatre. We purchased the Seattle Asian American festival pass this past March, but sadly missed out on the outdoor screening of Paper Tigers as it sold out. Thanks for promoting this, WSB and Admiral Theatre! 

      • Kris May 11, 2021 (12:43 pm)

        Thanks Jay!Enjoy the movie. I hope you like it. It was a great experience to work on. If you like it, please tell your friends. We just found out that we’ve cracked the top 10 of Asian American films on Rotten Tomatoes, and we are doing our best to get word out there about this little film. Any and all help of spreading the word is greatly appreciated.

  • MercyMoi May 9, 2021 (10:04 pm)

    Excellent movie! My family rented it on a streaming service and laughed and cheered and cringed the whole way. Everytime I thought I could predict what was going to happen I was surprised. Very well-written! 

    • Kris May 11, 2021 (12:44 pm)

      yay!!

  • helpermonkey May 10, 2021 (10:29 am)

    Just watched the trailer this morning and it looks fantastic. Can’t wait to stream it. 

    • Kris May 11, 2021 (5:48 pm)

      If you’re comfortable going to the theater, please see it this upcoming weekend at the Admiral. Stronger box office will help the film get a wider distribution. Either way, hope you enjoy the flick.

      • Julia Viglione May 19, 2021 (7:48 am)

        Can’t wait to see it (and you) tonight!  So glad the Northwest Asian Weekly is receiving publicity too; that paper is a gem.Welcome to West Seattle!Julia

  • Melissa May 10, 2021 (4:31 pm)

    Saw it this last weekend. It was really good!

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