From the director’s statement: This is my thesis project, and I’m the writer, director, producer, and editor. The film is inspired by my own journey and the experiences of those around me. Born and raised in China, I came to the U.S. three years ago during the pandemic, facing many unexpected challenges. Two years ago, I met a Chinese-American teenage girl from an undocumented family in Manhattan’s Chinatown. She had been translating for her family since she was just nine and if something bad happened they couldn’t call the authorities for help due to their status. Her courage and resilience deeply moved me.
The film begins in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, where an elderly Chinese lady is speaking angrily to her phone, since the one who was supposed to accompany her there, has not yet appeared. She does appear, however, moments later, and the two get into the office where the former is to give a testimony regarding her application for a Green Card. She has even brought some donuts as a gift, in a rather Chinese approach to dealing with authorities, but she is blatantly turned down by the utterly disillusioned employee, who proceeds with the procedure immediately. It turns out, however, that the older of the two, who are actually mother and daughter, speaks very little English, with the interaction immediately becoming tragicomical.
The next scene, though, shows a family party with the two women and a number of guests participating, celebrating the fact that she actually received the Green Card. It turns out that the daughter’s name is Lulu and that she has brought an American friend with her, David, with her aunt immediately asking if he is her boyfriend, and a series of other questions, while her mother, is obviously tense about his presence. The rest of the discussions highlight the relationship of the two, with Lulu always having the task of taking care of her mother in all aspects of life in the US, while fulfilling her dream, of having a daughter who becomes a doctor. Things, however, are not exactly as they seem in the beginning, and as alcohol flows, a number of things come to the fore.
Probably the best aspect of the 15 minute short is the way Ziyu Luo combines the dramatic basis of the story with a number of funny moments, without, though, stripping the film from its seriousness, neither the comments from their impact. The ever present concept of parents pressuring their children to achieve their own dreams, instead of doing what they want to do with their lives, which seems to be even more intense in Chinese/Chinese-American families, is depicted quite eloquently here, with the way Ziyu Luo uses it in order to build the drama and tension being among the best aspects of the movie. The fact that breaking the chain, even when love is involved, is the only solution, does emerge as another comment, in a rather realistic aspect here. In that regard, it is also impressive that the director does not pick sides, highlighting that both have their ‘excuses’ for their behavior.
Borja Campillo’s cinematography is also on a high level, with him portraying the three settings the film takes place in with artistry and realism. The scene where the camera rotates across the members of the dinner party is definitely the apogee of his effort. The many close ups are a bit excessive, but not to the point to truly harm the quality of the visuals here, which is quite high. Ziyu Luo’s editing results in a fast pace that allows the story to unfold comfortably in the duration of the movie.
The acting is impressive on occasion. Yan Cui as the mother in particular is a wonder to watch, with the way she communicates her thoughts and feelings, either subtly through looks and facial expression or more obviously, through her voice, being a true treat for the viewer. Jessica Lee as the daughter is also quite good, with their direct interactions also highlighting their excellent chemistry.
“American Dream” is a short of quality, managing to present its comments eloquently and in entertaining fashion, while also being well-directed, shot, and acted.
