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2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Toenail

Directed by Jingyi Shao

USA / 2016 / 18 mins / English, Korean with English subtitles / Color / 2.39:1, D-Cinema

Plays In:
HBO APA Visionaries

Tateuchi Democracy Forum
April 28, 2017 6:30 pm Rush Line Only

Description

Frank is an awkward, but capable consultant at a large firm. After years of long hours and office politics, Frank is finally on the brink of a big step up. All that’s left is to impress his macho boss, Peter. Frank enlists the help of Chang, his boisterous Korean father who has a hard time keeping his opinions to himself. But Chang is an excellent cook of Korean food, Peter’s favorite. Frank finds himself biting off more than he can chew as he balances these two big personalities. The dinner somehow goes well, and Frank gets what he wants. But when Chang is sent to the hospital due to a seemingly small accident, Frank realizes that he has neglected the man who raised him. Frank is forced to reassess his own life, and his relationship with his father, allowing him to truly grow as a man.


Director's Bio

Jing is a Chinese-American commercial director working extensively in China and the US. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts,
Jing has worked with brands like Levi’s, Johnnie Walker and Honda, and has been featured in ad publications such as SHOTS, SHOOTonline and Adweek. His PSA, Text History of Jane, received awards at Cannes, D&AD and the AICP Show. Jing’s dream is to tell stories that bridge China and the US.


Credits

Producers: Jingyi Shao, Justin Lee, Ryan David Tsang
Director: Jingyi Shao
Writer: Jingyi Shao
Cinematographer: Boyd Hobbs
Production Designer: Arnella Barbara
Composer: YWYW
Editor: Jess Zou
Cast: Justin Lee, Ryan David Tsang, Keith Nam, Garland Scott, Kevin Ashworth


Plays in

  1. HBO APA Visionaries

    Shorts Programs / 49 mins
    In a unique filmmaker support initiative between Visual Communications and HBO, we present the winning entries from the APA Visionaries Short Film Competition, in which Asian Pacific American artists bring to light their worlds, their visions, and their voices. — Abraham Ferrer

    In This Program: Wonderland, Toenail, Monday


Dates & Times

Plays In:
HBO APA Visionaries

Tateuchi Democracy Forum
April 28, 2017 6:30 pm Rush Line Only