Esther Eng

Directing

Freshness: Feb 06, 2026

1Total Films

5.5 Highest Rated

Born: Sep 24, 1914

Birth Place: San Francisco, California, USA

About Esther Eng

Esther Eng (September 24, 1914 – January 25, 1970) was an American director and producer; known to be the first woman to have directed Chinese-language films in the United States, as well as South China's first woman director. As an openly lesbian woman, Esther Eng provided social commentary with a focus on the female protagonists in her works. Many of the films she has directed and produced are considered to be lost except for Golden Gate Girl (1941) and Murder in New York Chinatown (1961). First shown in the 37th Hong Kong International Film Festival, the film Golden Gate Girls (2013, dir. S. Louisa Wei) with its title borrowed from one of Esther Eng's works, is a documentary film dedicated to her legacy as a filmmaker and her life.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Esther Eng reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 1 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Esther Eng's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 0% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Esther Eng remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Golden Gate Girls, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.