Feature film, CMI presents:

Joshua Tree: a new film by Cheng Li - YQstudio LLC, Denver, Colorado (USA) and Qingdao (China)

A family's struggle. Set in the USA heartland, Kate’s living the “American Dream”, but everything changes following the 2008 economic collapse. Kate’s husband loses everything in the stock market and it’s the final blow to their marriage. Kate is left alone with two young daughters, a house she obviously can’t afford, and few opportunities. Like millions of US Americans, she’s determined to earn enough money but soon falls behind and home foreclosure looms. Self-reliance is dear, and family communication is guarded especially about money, so Kate avoids her father, Alan, and brother though they are well-off. Instead she turns to her mother and a friend, they try to help but have limited resources. In desperation, Kate turns to surprising and secret solutions while struggling to provide for her children and maintain public appearances. All are thrust into difficult and defining choices as tragedy strikes and a painful search for redemption ensues.

A social-political fable at the crossroads of our times: what kind of individuals, families and country are we going to be? 

Filmed in Denver-Boulder metro area (Colorado, USA). Currently in final post-production and headed for the film festival circuit.


Li Cheng (writer, director). Born and raised in China and has lived in the USA since 1999. A keen observer of culture and society, he's traveled extensively in the USA and also has broad international experience in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North Africa. He holds a PhD from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Joshua Tree is his first feature film.

Joel Diamond (composer). Credits include original score for The Believer - winner at Sundance International Film Festival and writer of Grammy Award nominated song, see IMDb - the internet movie database, click here

Jeremy Dehn (editor). Credits include winner, Austin Film Festival Audience Award for Miracle Investigators (writer, director, editor - 2008), see IMDb - the internet movie database, click here

Ed Kaufman (post-production sound, Coupe Studio, Boulder). Credits include sound design for Oscar winner, Saving Face.

George F Roberson (co-writer, producer). Academic, advocate, entrepreneur, publisher, adventurer. Fulbright Scholar to Morocco, he holds a PhD from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and collaborates widely on community-based initiatives.


Full cast and crew, see IMDb - the internet movie database, click here

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See also Joshua Tree entry on IMDb - the internet movie database, click here