Wayne Wang's Chan is Missing (1982) on the Criterion Channel

I don't remember what it cost, but it was the first really low budget movie I remember hearing about. The black & white 16mm really looked nice after all these years of digital video.

A couple of Chinese-American cab drivers in California want to operate their own taxi. They gave Chan several thousand dollars to help them get a license through another cab company but now he has disappeared. There was a conflict between those siding with Taiwan with supporters of mainland China which led to a murder and other issues that may have led to Chan's disappearance.

Made before home video took over. Getting a movie shown in theaters was your only hope. Look at Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices by Wang's former collaborator, Rick Schmidt. The book focused on the possibility of getting your movie released theatrically.

Available with other Wayne Wang movies on The Criterion Channel.