Filipino American films spotlight healing and resilience
Two locally made Filipino American films screen this Saturday in Kailua, in an event aimed at opening up hard conversations about family, abuse, and culture.
- The "Aloha Meets Mabuhay" screening at Kailua Cinemas pairs Angelica Quinn's award-winning short with Rick Kwan's "Along Comes Larry."
- Quinn's film follows a woman revisiting family memories as her father becomes seriously ill, and is loosely based on her own life.
- Quinn is a domestic violence survivor and made the film to show young people it is safe to speak about abuse.
- Shame — *hiya* in Filipino culture — keeps many families silent, a pattern shared across Asian communities in Hawaii.
- Making the film strengthened Quinn's bond with her parents; her terminally ill father asked her to keep writing.
Outlook: The screening is set for September 19 at 7 p.m., with tickets available through Kailua Cinemas.