Savvy folks know they need their mojos working in these dreadful times of alarming never-ending ghastly breaking news headlines about the economy, tariffs, immigration, Gaza & Ukraine, White House TACO Tantrums … and so on … and so forth.
Good movies – believe it or not – can be our working mojos. WE ARE KINGS, directed by Frank Sun, should be highly rated on everyone’s Tribeca Fest must-see list. Yo, don’t have one? Get one!
It has engaging narratives, compelling characters, solid direction, good performances, good acting as well as cinematography and music to boot … and so on … and so forth – especially the reflections on life that it might impose that can cause some if not most of us to want to make things better about what’s going on today.***
Filmmaker and Cinematographer Frank Sun’s 12-minute film short WE ARE KINGS selected from 13,000 entrants premiers in the OSCAR qualifying 2025 Tribeca Festival that starts this week. {Screening times below.}
A Succinct Synopsis of Sorts for WE ARE KINGS: Two first generation immigrant teenagers who regard themselves as business entrepreneurs – Lin (played by Kenny Ridwan) and best friend Walid (played by Mahi Alam) – need a working place on a 2001 day back in small town North Carolina to finalize a business transaction. The film opens with them hauling the necessary equipment to a workplace they want to use regarding their dreams of $$$ and celebrity.
There, they plan to burn a pornographic CD for a client – they have several clients. Uh Oh!
Lin has figured into his plans that the Chinese restaurant where his mom (played by Yvonne Y. F Chan) is a waitress should be a cool place for him and his friend because of the nepotism involved so that he and his buddy have space to set up their operation – a hefty computer and a hefty computer monitor – to bring closure to their business deal burning a pirate DVD. He, of course, hasn’t tipped off his mom about his plans. Although it’s clear he luvs and respects her, he is too wrapped up in his own personal interests that narrow his understanding of how things work.
Uh Oh! – Lin is caught off guard when a precocious high school student (played by Jade Spear seen bottom right) whom he has been secretly fawning over at school walks into the restaurant; Lin is inevitably drawn into her world of rebellion (she’s more mature than he is). An important hint: A plot that seems at first to do with simple teen angst is far more complicated.
Jade Spear, left, & “Lin.” Hmmm?
Frank Sun, according to press notes provided film reviewers and the like, captures through his coming-of-age lens the significance of assimilating in America that offers a subtle, sensitive look – invaluable – into the young immigrant experience of trying to fit in back then – but back then also serves as a – let’s say – metaphorical tip off about contemporary: These days it can be harrowing ethnic and immigrant kids.
{According to numerous news and feature stories, “fitting in” – as in assimilating – nowadays is far more complicated than it once was. The film, addressing that vintage time way back when also metaphorically addresses the diversity of residents in America seeking Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness without the harrowing experiences being reporter and described and broadcasted.}
Frank Sun is a filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. Born in China and raised in the American South, his storytelling draws from the complexities of identity, assimilation, and belonging—experiences that continue to inform his unique voice. Frank began his career shaping raw, emotionally charged narratives on CBS’s Survivor, where he honed his instinct for story in unpredictable environments. His work is shaped by a life lived between cultures.
Scott Aharoni (Executive & Creative Producer) is an award-winning producer and director whose work has been showcased at prestigious festivals worldwide, including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and more. One of his standout short films earned a coveted spot on the 94th Academy Awards shortlist for Best Live Action Short. His most recent feature — starring Steve Buscemi, John Magaro, and Britt Lower — took home the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Currently, he serves as executive producer on Chronology of Water, the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart, as well as The Carpenter’s Son, featuring Nicolas Cage and Noah Jupe.
Executive Producer Alex Constantin is a Romanian immigrant and currently an executive in streaming. He started his career in finance at JPMorgan before pivoting to the entertainment industry where he previously worked as an executive at Lionsgate. Producer Lou Wang-Holborn is originally from Beijing, China.
Most recently, Lou worked as the Associate and Post Producer for the feature film BLUE SUN PALACE which premiered at Semaine de la Critique, Cannes 2024. The beautiful cinematography was created by Stephan Nachmann.
WE ARE KINGS will be making its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on Sunday June 8, 5:30 PM at the Shorts Theater at Spring Studios and will be celebrated as part of the festival’s ‘Floating Roots’ category.
WE THE KINGS Filmmaking Team
Director Frank Sun. Producer Lou-Wang Holborn, Sam Katz. Executive Producers Scott Aharoni, Alex Constantin. Screenwriter Frank Sun. Cinematographer Stefan Nachmann
Editor Logan K Triplett. Composer Jonathan “JB” Benedict, Amara Jaguar.Sound Design Charles Van Kirk.
Cast Kenny Ridwan, Mahi Alam , Yvoone Chen, Jade Spear, Caleb Elias-Reyes
Screening Times for WE ARE KINGS – click here.
Some Razzle Dazzle About the 2025 Tribeca Fest Where WE ARE KINGS Will Be Screening