ran som

Two small-time burglars kidnap the son of a wealthy businessman, demanding twenty thousand dollars. But when they discover that the boy is a victim of parental abuse, they face a moral dilemma that blurs the line between criminals and protectors.

drama, comedy · 12 mins.

Festivals

Reelworld Film Festival

Chilliwack Independent Film Festival

Vancouver Asian Film Festival

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

Seattle Asian American Film Festival

DisOrient Film Festival

Los Angeles Pacific Asian Film Festival

Asiate en court

Director Statement

When I was seven years old, I experienced a home invasion while home alone. The men who broke in were from my community, people I recognized. Years later, I made mistakes of my own, and began to see how cycles of criminality repeat.

I grew up in a tight-knit Cambodian community and realized, later, how little guidance we had. Our parents were often uneducated country folks, affected by war and genocide, trying to figure things out. At home, discipline was harsh, an attempt to "teach" us. Meanwhile, my peers and I were out in the world, trying to see what works and what doesn't, like blind mice, bumping and scratching into one another, trying to figure things out.

This film is about mistakes and agency. It is about choosing peace over violence, and taking responsibility not only for ourselves but also for the next generation. This is a much needed love letter to my community, to forgive our mistakes so we can do better.

For festival/sales inquiries, contact richard.dang743@gmail.com