Esther Eng, a San Francisco native and open lesbian, was the first female director of Southern China. She was a true pioneer, producing 11 Cantonese language films across six continents before, during, and after WWII. Her 1941 film Golden Gate Girl featured a young Bruce Lee in his screen debut. Eng also owned and operated several restaurants in New York City, including the highly-rated Esther Eng Restaurant, which attracted celebrities like Marlon Brando and Tennessee Williams.
Golden Gate Girls
Esther Eng, a trailblazing filmmaker, made cinematic history as the first female director from San Francisco and an open lesbian, producing 11 Cantonese language films across China, Hong Kong, and Hollywood, breaking barriers for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
