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TRY HARDER! IS PLAYING AT THE SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER
POST-SCREENING CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR DEBBIE LUM
“…Surprisingly fascinating and endlessly charming.”
– Gena Radcliffe | The Spool
“An engaging documentary, at the top of its class…”
– Randy Myers | The Mercury News
“try harder! Is An Era-Defining Documentary on the Ivy League Aspirant Culture”
– Rahul Desai | Film Companion
San Francisco’s Lowell High, one of the best public schools in the country, draws high achievers–nearly 70% Asian Americans–from across the city into a fiercely competitive universe. The camera follows seniors through the hallways and into classrooms as the pressure intensifies to impress admissions officers at elite universities with their report cards, test scores, and overall awesomeness. The students proudly own their identity as nerds and tell their stories with candor and humor despite the stress. Will they achieve their dreams? What happens if they fail? Director: Debbie Lum (US 2021) 85 min. Official Selection DocLands 2021
MONDAY, DEC. 6 • 7:00
$12.50 General | $9. Senior • Youth • Matinée | $7 CFI Members
