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Kairos

A single dad juggles parenting and working at a dystopian job where one slip-up can mean death.

  • Jean Ho
    Director
  • Jean Ho
    Writer
  • Tanner Maschka
    Writer
  • Keiph Oliver
    Producer
  • Danielle Mason
    Producer
  • Aris Kai Kiu Lui
    Director of Photography
  • Aylene Lopez
    Gaffer
  • Cooper Nolan
    Key Grip/Dolly Grip
  • Jessica Santos
    Production Designer
  • Brendan Reilly
    Production Sound Mixers
  • Dean Stokes
    Production Sound Mixers
  • Emily Hallenbeck
    Production Sound Mixers
  • Matthew Donald
    Editor/Visual Effects
  • Ryan Stemple
    Colorist
    Anchor - "Go West", Facial
  • Noisefloor LTD
    Post Sound Services
    Hoop Dreams, Home Alone 1 & 2, Goodfellas, 63 Boycott
  • Kelvin Lee
    Composer/Orchestrator and Midi Programmer
  • Yuchi Chiu
    Key Cast
    "Greg Chen"
    Chicago Med (Ellis Xue), BJ's Mobile Gift Shop (Amos)
  • Brittany Vogel
    Key Cast
    "Boss"
    The Chrysanthemums (Sister), The Marriage Pact (Brianna)
  • Larrah Lambo
    Key Cast
    "Mia Chen"
  • Vivian Standifird
    Key Cast
    "Older Mia Chen"
  • Brianna Standifird
    Key Cast
    "Lara Chen"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Sci-fi, Family
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    11,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - DePaul University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Jean Ho

Growing up in vibrant and multicultural Malaysia, Jean Ho moved to Chicago in 2019 to pursue her filmmaking dreams at DePaul University. Since then, she has gained a multitude of Director, Writer, Cinematographer, 1st/2nd Assistant Camera, Digital Utility, Key Grip, and Electrician credits across a variety of shorts, faculty films, promotional videos, spec commercials, and a feature. 'Kairos' is her most ambitious project to date and first film festival submission. She currently holds a BFA in Cinematography and a Screenwriting minor.

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Director Statement

As someone who has dealt with abandonment from loved ones who prioritized their career commitments, 'Kairos' is a film that portrays the precarious nature of work-life balance in its most extreme form; literal life or death triggered by productivity rates. I see Greg's strained relationships with corporate professionalism and parenthood not as an individual flaw, but as an underlying symptom of the toxic hustle culture society has crafted and idealized in most, if not all, workspaces. The effects of such expectations are thus unwittingly inflicted on young Mia, who actively attempts various strategies within her capabilities to gain the love and attention she desperately longs from her father.

My hope for this film is not just to showcase the journey of a father and daughter struggling to understand each other's intentions, but to also bring the definition of the ancient Greek word 'kairos' to life; take the opportune moment to spend time with your loved ones before it passes the point of no return.