One Cambodian Family Please For My Pleasure
2018, 14mins
Synopsis: In 1981, a lonely refugee from Czechoslovakia paints an all-too-appealing picture of
her American life as she writes a letter begging an organisation to send a Cambodian refugee
family so that she can help resettle them in her new 'hometown of dreams': Fargo, North Dakota.
Written and directed by A.M. Lukas
Produced by Lizzie Nastro and Alex Cirillo
This 14 minute film is based on the very true story of my mother Helena, who escaped persecution in communist Czechoslovakia to be resettled not in her bustling 'dream city' of Manhattan, but in the bleak, population- challenged landscape of Fargo, North Dakota. The film is about her need, as a refugee who made it out of her bad situation, to help others in a similar position. Set in 1981 and steeped in the humour and visual quality of childhood memory, the film's subject matter is in fact incredibly timely, even urgent, considering the Trump administration's divisive stance on refugees and immigration. Emily Mortimer plays my mother, and her performance imbues the film with a warmth, charm, and buoyancy I sincerely hope you enjoy. A.M. Lukas
AWARDS
Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film, Edmonton International Film Festival qualifying the film for a 2019 Oscar nomination
Best Screenplay, Rhode Island International Film Festival
Special Jury Prize Best Screenwriting, SCAD Savannah Film Festival
FESTIVALS & ENGAGEMENTS
2019:
Sundance Film Festival Official Selection, Opening night
2018:
Mill Valley International Film Festival Official Selection
Palm Springs International Shorts Fest Official Selection
London Film Week Official Selection
Port Eliot Literary Festival, Cinematheque, Port Eliot, UK
Hollyshorts Film Festival Official Selection
Crested Butte Film Festival Official Selection
Hawaii International Film Festival Official Selection
Edmonton International Film Festival Official Selection, “Best Short Film”
Rhode Island International Film Festival Official Selection “Best Screenplay”
SCAD Savannah Film Festival Official Selection “Best Screenplay”
London Migration Film Festival Official Selection
St. Louis International Film Festival Official Selection
Pittsburgh Shorts Festival Official Selection
SCREENING INFO
Available to view on Vimeo here
Start a conversation
We believe in the power of film to open up opportunities for dialogue and community reflection. We’ve designed post-screening discussion guides for all films, to be used as a starting point for conversations inspired by our Moving Worlds programme