Written, directed, cinematography, and produced by Zhu Shen 

Co-written, co-produced, and cinematography by Perry S. Chen

Appearances by Changyou Chen, Perry S. Chen, Zhu Shen, and Walker Clark

​

Work-in-progress samples edited by Perry S. Chen, Amy Fan, Colin Bae and Seth Dacio. Fundraising Trailer Editing by Amy Fan, Mike Gu (Advised by Roland Mesa)

Additional Cinematography by David Hutchinson, Eric Morgan

​

Story Consultants: Karen Everett, Doug Block

​

​

​

ENDORSEMENT (Film Sample)

​

"A beautifully touching tribute to Zhu's late husband and an ode to the bond between mother and son, told with radical vulnerability and honesty. Zhu’s deep commitment to her son also reveals surprising twists in their dynamic. JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES is a deeply moving look into the love that binds a family."

 

- Janet Yang, Executive Producer, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, OVER THE MOON; President, Academy of Motion Pictures; Co-Founder, Gold House

​

"JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES promises to be an engaging and illuminating documentary. Zhu Shen chronicles a warm but complicated mother-son relationship that is bound to resonate with viewers from different cultures." 

​

- Annette Insdorf, Columbia University Film Professor & Film Historian

​

"A fascinating, authentic story of a singular yet very relatable mother-son relationship. I look forward to this film to follow the revelation of Perry's and Zhu's intertwined journey of self discovery, struggles, and connection. This filmmaker and this story has so much potential."

​

- David Magdael, Co-director of Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Academy of Motion Pictures Member, Leading Documentary Film Media Strategist  

​

"The interactions between mother and son showcase incredible honesty and vulnerability not always captured in documentaries. Seeing Perry's growth gives me hope the younger generation can navigate this world in a thoughtful, empathetic way."

​

- Josh Chuck, Co-director, Producer, Chinatown Rising

​

​

"In 'Journey of a Thousand Miles,' Zhu Shen pulls from a deep reservoir of pain and grief to bring us a personal story about growth that will resonate with any parent who has wanted the best for her child and struggled to let go."

​

- Jennifer Lin, Producer, Co-director, Beethoven in Beijing

​

​

"A testament to the brave, vulnerable, raw journey of motherhood. A labor of love that we are all lucky exists!"

​

- Arielle Nobile, Documentary Filmmaker, Founder of Legacy Connections Films

​

​

"Zhu Shen's transformative path from a woman handing her offspring the generational curse of perfectionism to a mom who exposes her own weakness to raise a grounded son... 'Journey of a Thousand Miles' reminds every parent that our children are our greatest teachers if we are only brave enough to learn from them."

​

- Robin Warner MD, Board-certified Psychiatrist, Author, Loss of Lies

​