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 \u2026 and so forth.<\/p>\n
Good movies \u2013 believe it or not \u2013\u00a0 can be our working mojos. WE ARE KINGS, directed by Frank Sun, should be highly rated on everyone’s Tribeca Fest must-see list.<\/em> Yo, don’t have one? Get one!<\/p>\n It has engaging narratives, compelling characters, solid direction, good performances, good acting as well as cinematography and music to boot \u2026 and so on \u2026 and so forth \u2013 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.***<\/p>\n Filmmaker and Cinematographer Frank Sun\u2019s 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:<\/strong> Two first generation immigrant teenagers who regard themselves as business entrepreneurs \u2013 Lin (played by Kenny Ridwan) and best friend Walid (played by Mahi Alam) \u2013 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.<\/p>\n There, they plan to burn a pornographic CD for a client \u2013 they have several clients. Uh Oh!<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 a hefty computer and a hefty computer monitor \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Uh Oh! \u2013<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Jade Spear, left, & “Lin.” Hmmm?<\/p><\/div>\n 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 \u2013 invaluable \u2013 into the young immigrant experience of trying to fit in back then \u2013 but back then also serves as a \u2013 let’s say \u2013 metaphorical tip off about contemporary: These days it can be harrowing ethnic and immigrant kids.<\/p>\n {According to numerous news and feature stories, \u201cfitting in\u201d \u2013 <\/em>as in assimilating \u2013 <\/em>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.}<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frank Sun<\/strong> 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\u2014experiences that continue to inform his unique voice. Frank began his career shaping raw, emotionally charged narratives on CBS\u2019s Survivor, where he honed his instinct for story in unpredictable environments. His work is shaped by a life lived between cultures.<\/p>\n Scott Aharoni (Executive & Creative Producer)<\/strong> 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 \u2014 starring Steve Buscemi, John Magaro, and Britt Lower \u2014 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\u2019s Son, featuring Nicolas Cage and Noah Jupe.<\/p>\n Executive Producer Alex Constantin<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s \u2018Floating Roots\u2019 category.<\/p>\n WE THE KINGS Filmmaking Team<\/strong><\/p>\n Director Frank Sun. Producer Lou-Wang Holborn, Sam Katz. Executive Producers Scott Aharoni, Alex Constantin. Screenwriter Frank Sun. Cinematographer Stefan Nachmann<\/p>\n Editor Logan K Triplett. Composer Jonathan “JB” Benedict, Amara Jaguar.Sound Design Charles Van Kirk.<\/p>\n Cast Kenny Ridwan, Mahi Alam , Yvoone Chen, Jade Spear, Caleb Elias-Reyes<\/p>\n
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