Ahma & Alan

My parents are Taiwanese immigrants that moved to the U.S. seeking a more stable life. When I was born, my grandparents traveled from Taiwan to California to help raise me. Though we didn’t speak the same language, my grandparents actions taught me inner strength, courage and kindness. Their love compels me to make this film.

After my Grandpa passed and I graduated from college, I moved to Taiwan to reconnect with my roots. While living in Taipei, I was almost deported for allegedly teaching English illegally. My Grandma came to the police station with me and fought for my innocence. She said, “My grandson doesn’t need to teach illegally. I can take care of him!” Seeing such courage come from a small, elderly woman was incredibly inspiring and I want to share her story.

I hope this film reminds older audiences of their own strength and for younger generations to learn from their elders’ wisdom. It also tackles identity issues many American born Taiwanese face: Are you Taiwanese or American? Though “Ahma & Alan” shows the generational and cultural gaps between Taiwanese and Taiwanese-Americans, the heart of the story is a family tie and love that connects across time and nationality.

Even if a loved one is no longer with us, their memory, their lessons, the way they made us feel, still lives on with us.