Presented by NALIP & Latino Lens:
Narrative Short Incubator for Women of Color 2022
SPONSORED BY NETFLIX
Starring
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja (After Yang)
Cairo Zion (American Ninja Warrior Jr.)
Abigail Lopez, Daniel Girdo & Fanny Lawren
Poster by Jee Kim
When a 13-year-old Chinese-American girl has the opportunity to go skateboarding with her crush, it comes at the cost of abandoning her little sister.
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie with Fanny Lawren as her mother, Kim
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Synopsis
On an afternoon when ROSIE is skateboarding, she drops into her mother, KIM's dry-cleaners and is tasked with delivering her 6-year-old sister, AMY's forgotten lunchbox.
When Rosie arrives at school to pick up her sister, she runs into two skater boys: her cool crush SKYLAR, and his rambunctious best friend COOPER.
Trouble ensues when Rosie joins up with the boys, as they welcome her in, Rosie must choose between her family responsibilities or her new skate crew.
Rosie (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Photo by Luna Cristales
Rosie's mother, Kim (Fanny Lawren) and Rosie (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Photo by Luna Cristales
Winner of pano network's microgrant 2023
Reviews
"Sunflower Girl is a standout short film on the festival circuit this year, blending youthful innocence with deeper cultural reflections. Holly M. Kaplan crafts a heartfelt, visually stunning exploration of adolescence, first love and identity. With strong performances, especially from Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and striking cinematography, this film leaves a lasting impression, offering a beautiful and nostalgic viewing experience. A must-watch for anyone seeking a thoughtful, emotional journey on screen." - (Battle Royale With Cheese)
"With intimate hand-held camera work and nuanced performances from the lead actors, Kaplan tells an emotionally resonant coming-of-age story perfect for fans of The Florida Project. The film is vibrant and inventive, whilst always being entrenched in the world of a teenager." - (Rebys J Hynes; UK Reviewer)
"Despite the sorrowful undertones of the message, Kaplan manages to transmit through Sunflower Girl a very positive and upbeat message of hope. The narrative doesn’t dwell on the sadness, but rather on the adventure of finding your place in the world and discovering who you are, who you want to be. [..] one of the best you can watch when you are having a bad day." - (Cut To The Take)
"The young promise Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja ('After Yang', 2021) is in charge of narrating this story that in a fresh way makes us stop our day to focus our attention on what could well be the day of any young person who seeks to find a place to belong outside the family home. [..] In just a few minutes, young love, teenage defiance, guilt, sisterhood and the search for identity are synthesized. We could live in the world of Sunflower Girl." - (MagaZinema)
"The entire film flows as gracefully as a sunflower, with Rosie's radiant beauty and natural performances captivating the viewer's attention. Her interactions with her mother and sister exude warmth, despite occasional misunderstandings and conflicts, consistently portraying the nurturing environment of a Chinese household. Rosie's interactions with an American boy offer glimpses into the situation of Chinese-Americans in the United States. Additionally, what's remarkable is that the director only subtly touches upon this aspect, maintaining the film's lively and carefree teenage style while demonstrating a sense of reason and restraint." - (Yiting Lu; MINT Chinese Film Festival Programmer)
Review on MUBI & Letterboxd
Cairo Zion as Skylar
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Cairo Zion with Daniel Girdo as Cooper
Fanny Lawren as Rosie's mother, Kim
Still Photos by Luna Cristales
Director's Statement
Innocence, young love, complicated beliefs about oneself, and relationships with family are all budding issues that tend to feel larger than life growing up.
When writing "Sunflower Girl," I drew inspiration from memories of my past as a young teen growing up in New York City, and from my family history as Cantonese immigrants who owned a Chinese laundry storefront in Brooklyn during the 1970s.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country, American news became inundated with stories of discrimination and violence against Asians. Wanting to steer clear of showcasing hate and suffering, I felt moved to tell an uplifting and personal coming-of-age story that explored the universal experience of growing pains from the perspective of a young Chinese-American girl in New York City.
Americanism coming in contact with the Asian American experience is the greater theme that I’m exploring. Where Americanism seeks to devour the other, "Sunflower Girl" offers a tender, yet complex slice of Asian American life through the lens of the female gaze.
- Holly M. Kaplan
Producer Seika Paradeis with Writer/Director Holly at Age 7.