Filmmaker Statement

For as long as I can remember, my Gong Gong (maternal grandfather) has been an eminent presence in my life. He may have helped raise me despite barely speaking english, but he is also a war survivor, father of six, recovered gangster, Tinder user, and a complete enigma who has mystified every person he's met. And he is my best friend. He usually spends half the year in Vietnam, but--for the first time ever--he came back to America early, due to poor health. He has always had such a strong sense of humor, so I've always wanted to make a film with him to commemorate our relationship in a way that feels different. With his unexpected return to America and worsening health issues, I had to think of some way to make this happen. Over the span of one week, I conceptualized, filmed, and edited this project in honor of my Gong Gong (he's not dead yet, just really cool).