Lowell High School Documentary “Try Harder” Opens in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – High-performing Lowell High School in San Francisco has been in the news about the school district’s review of its admissions process. But while stories about Lowell often treat college students like faceless numbers, a new documentary opening Friday in major cities, including San Francisco, shines a light on children as individuals, with their own dreams and challenges.

“Try Harder” is a choice of New York Times critics and has won awards at numerous film festivals after its premiere at Sundance. The San Francisco Examiner calls it “engaging, enlightening and at times alarming.”

The film follows five students of different races during their final year at Lowell as they walked through their college application process.

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Director and producer Debbie Lum joined ABC7 News host Kristen Sze at 3 p.m. ET. “Getting Answers” ​​TV newscast to discuss “Try Harder” with Hudson Liao, from the group “Asians are Strong” and a Lowell alumnus, as well as Tiffany Abuan, president of the Lowell High School Parent Teacher Student Association.

They discussed a wide range of topics, from the universal challenges students face in a high-pressure college school, to what is lacking in many media portrayals of students, to why a film that portrays Native Americans. Asian as real multidimensional people, which is more important than ever. A coalition of American-Asian groups is promoting the “Try Harder” opening weekend, including Gold House and Asians are Strong.

“Try Harder” begins its weeklong run at the Regal Stonestown Galleria theater on Friday night. Some of the screenings include discussions with the students featured in the film, Asian-American and educational leaders, and events on mental health wellness. Information and tickets available here.

You can watch “Getting Live” on weekdays at 3pm. on ABC7, Facebook LIVE and YouTube.