A young dedicated home-care aide to an isolated elder man is burdened with an unexpected and lonely responsibility.
[Drama, 6 Mins, Color, Vietnamese with English Subtitles]
Written, Directed and Edited by Eddie ShiehCinematogarphy by Dave GilesStarring Chausa Hoang & Cliff SamaraProduced by Eddie Shieh, Christiane Seidel
©2013 Red Rope Productions. Made in support of The 72 Hour Shootout by the Asian American Film Lab 2013.
2016Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival (USA)FringePop Short Film & Play Festival (USA)
2013
AAFL 72 Hour Film Shootout (USA) FINALIST
2014
Cannes / Short Film Corner (France)
Kansas City Film Festival (USA)
TISFEST: Teen International Short Festival (Turkey) BY INVITATION
Athens International Film + Video Festival of Ohio (USA) ACADEMY® QUALIFIER
New York Indian Film Festival (USA)
Los Angeles Pan Asian American Film Festival (USA)
NewFilmmakersLA Film Festival (USA)
ACT Film Festival (USA) BY INVITATION
Columbia Gorge International Film Festival (USA) BY INVITATION
Viewster Film Festival (Online)
New York City Chain Film Festival (USA)
Filmstock Film Fest (USA)
Harlem International Film Festival (USA)
Minneapolis Underground Film Festival (USA)
Columbus International Film & Video Festival (USA) HONORABLE MENTION
Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Canada)
2015
9180 Shortfest (India) FINALIST
Statement
Mr. Chavan was originally created for the Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout Festival on the theme, A Guest in My Own Country, and inspired by my father and his home-care aide whom I call, Amber.
Amber dutifully traveled by public transportation and walked for more than an hour to reach my father several days a week, rain or shine. She performed chores, accompanied him on walks and read while he watched TV or dilly-dallied online. Yet their relationship was silent, rarely speaking unless necessary. It was all very copasetic.
The real Amber was 42, single 42 and a simple Caribbean woman with a 25 year old man-child living at home who never contributed to the rent or living expenses. She emigrated to the United States at a young age but had no notable skills. She didn't know how to drive. Didn't know how to use a computer nor did she cook often or well enough. She had limited skill sets but worked every night of the week at hospitals to supplement her financial needs.
My father, whom I call, Mr. Chavan, suffers from dementia exacerbated by heart surgery. His kidneys were failing from tumors and was untrusting, combative, ornery, very particular, and on-occasion believed in conspiracy theories against him. But he didn’t mind Amber. In fact, he asked for her after returning from the hospital. Yes, it was challenging. Nevertheless, it worked and very well.
Facts like these made me wonder more about Amber and her journey up to today. Who was she as a pregnant teen? What did she feel at that moment of discovery? What were her options? Who and where is the father? Where is What dreams did Amber sacrifice to bear a child? Was she alone?
And in Mr. Chavan’s own world, would he see or understand that Amber was suffering?
"Mr. Chavan," is my interpretation of this moment in time when Amber discovers her pregnancy and how I hoped Mr. Chavan, my father, would have acted in her moment of need.