The language barrier, particularly when added to the generational gap between parents and children, can be significantly high to overcome, while creating a number of issues. Kelsy Lua explores the issue by placing it in a relationship between an American-born teenage daughter and a Chinese immigrant single mother, adding a few other levels in her 6 minutes short.
“Please Translate” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The film begins during a breakfast the two share, where the aforementioned problems are presented in all their glory, since the differences between the two women are revealed not just from their language but also from the way they look. Frustrated daughter Mei cannot handle the fact that her mother, Wang Yu does not have enough money, and actually accuses her for not learning the language in order to get a better job than the florist's she works at. Wang Yu tries to hide how hurt she is by her daughter's words, but during an incident in her work, she realizes that she is right. As she doubles her efforts to learn the language, her daughter shows her true feelings.
Apart from the aforementioned issues, Lua also comments on how difficult it is to learn such a different language at that age, while also highlighting the difficulties single mothers have to face in the US, juggling work, caring for their children and doing house chores. Her message however, is quite optimistic, since she seems to state that effort, but most of all love, can overcome every boundary, particularly when there is understanding in the relationship.
Nick Lane's cinematography focuses on realism, although the production is somewhat too polished, particularly due to the use of light, and in combination with the mellow piano music, occasionally makes the short look like a TV commercial. Anabel Inigo's editing is quite good, as the succession of scenes and the overall pace allows Lua to present her comments thoroughly, despite the only 6 minutes of the film.
Sue Zen Chew as Mei highlights the “blights” of adolescence in all its glory, as does the fact that she loves her mother. Yin YIn Liow is excellent as Wang Yu, communicating all her feelings in laconic, but highly realistic and eloquent fashion.
The overall aesthetics of “Please Translate” may seem more suited for TV, but it is a very interesting short that manages to communicate its comments in ideal fashion, through a rather sensitive approach.
