Newspapers implies the aftermath of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
What does it mean to truly honor and support our parents? “To Our Parents, with Love” delves into this question through a series of poignant stories. Traditionally, Vietnamese children are expected to be caregivers to aging and ailing parents. Both One Summer Night and Repeat address the weight of those expectations, the emotionally taxing responsibilities that sometimes lead to personal desires taking a backseat.
The deeply personal journeys of Lifeline and Coconut find adult children reconnecting with loved ones – whether through revisiting memories or navigating new emotional terrain that comes with aging. Mẹ Con (My Mom) and Newspapers examine the ways we honor familial bonds and fulfill promises through creative expressions and reflections on shared experiences.“To Our Parents with Love” offers a nuanced look at the sacrifices and enduring love that define the bonds, frayed or taut, between children and parents.
By Alena Nguyen
On the morning of Stanford-bound Hai's graduation, his older brother, Huy, turns down another job offer that takes him away from his family. When bringing medicine to their father, Ba, Huy finds something gravely wrong with him and admits him to hospice care without consulting Hai. After a heart-to-heart conversation with Ba, Hai seeks answers behind Huy's decision, causing him to find that his brother is still falling into a bad smoking habit. Furious and failing to understand each other's situations, the brothers trade verbal blows until Hai retreats home, and Huy stays with Ba for the night. As the night progresses, the brothers contemplate their situations. Hai tends to their abandoned garden, and Huy ditches his cigarettes. In the dead of night, Ba strains for one, last conversation with his son. Hai rushes to the hospice, but it's too late. Per Vietnamese tradition, the brothers pray and light incense for their father at a homemade altar. Hai restarts the garden that they abandoned, while Huy leaves for his new job in a different state. Hai leaves his desire for success, while Huy finally pursues his dreams.
- Year2023
- Runtime22:06
- LanguageEnglish, Vietnamese
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorLong Lê
- ScreenwriterLong Lê
- ProducerLong Lê, Ann Nguyễn
- CastTom Dang, David Vi Hoàng, Joseph Hiếu
Newspapers implies the aftermath of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
What does it mean to truly honor and support our parents? “To Our Parents, with Love” delves into this question through a series of poignant stories. Traditionally, Vietnamese children are expected to be caregivers to aging and ailing parents. Both One Summer Night and Repeat address the weight of those expectations, the emotionally taxing responsibilities that sometimes lead to personal desires taking a backseat.
The deeply personal journeys of Lifeline and Coconut find adult children reconnecting with loved ones – whether through revisiting memories or navigating new emotional terrain that comes with aging. Mẹ Con (My Mom) and Newspapers examine the ways we honor familial bonds and fulfill promises through creative expressions and reflections on shared experiences.“To Our Parents with Love” offers a nuanced look at the sacrifices and enduring love that define the bonds, frayed or taut, between children and parents.
By Alena Nguyen
On the morning of Stanford-bound Hai's graduation, his older brother, Huy, turns down another job offer that takes him away from his family. When bringing medicine to their father, Ba, Huy finds something gravely wrong with him and admits him to hospice care without consulting Hai. After a heart-to-heart conversation with Ba, Hai seeks answers behind Huy's decision, causing him to find that his brother is still falling into a bad smoking habit. Furious and failing to understand each other's situations, the brothers trade verbal blows until Hai retreats home, and Huy stays with Ba for the night. As the night progresses, the brothers contemplate their situations. Hai tends to their abandoned garden, and Huy ditches his cigarettes. In the dead of night, Ba strains for one, last conversation with his son. Hai rushes to the hospice, but it's too late. Per Vietnamese tradition, the brothers pray and light incense for their father at a homemade altar. Hai restarts the garden that they abandoned, while Huy leaves for his new job in a different state. Hai leaves his desire for success, while Huy finally pursues his dreams.
- Year2023
- Runtime22:06
- LanguageEnglish, Vietnamese
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorLong Lê
- ScreenwriterLong Lê
- ProducerLong Lê, Ann Nguyễn
- CastTom Dang, David Vi Hoàng, Joseph Hiếu