Sunflower girl (2023), narrative short
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
Writer/Director/Producer - Holly M. Kaplan
Producer - Seika Paradeis
DP - Zhejian Michael Cong
Editor - Hailey Choi
Production Design - Mischelle Moy
Music - Kristine Bernabe
Sound Design - Delu Duan
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.
Cairo Zion as Skylar
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Cairo Zion with Daniel Girdo as Cooper
Fanny Lawren as Rosie's mother, Kim
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.
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie with Fanny Lawren as her mother, Kim
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Rosie (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Photo by Luna Cristales
Rosie's mother, Kim (Fanny Lawren) and Rosie (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Photo by Luna Cristales
Still Photos by Luna Cristales
Reviews
"'Sunflower Girl' is a well shot, well-directed short that highlights, once more, the progress of Asian American cinema." - (Asian Movie Pulse)
"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)
"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 [..] 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." - (Rebys J Hynes; UK Reviewer)
Review on MUBI & Letterboxd
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.
FEATURE FILM CURRENTLY IN-DEVELOPMENT
SUPPORTED BY BENDFILM: BASECAMP