Private Project

My Family Tree

My Family Tree is a family drama following Annie, a traditional mother, who longs to reestablish a relationship with her estranged daughter, Leena, after years apart. But when Annie learns about a hidden granddaughter, tensions boil between the mother and ‘new’ grandma.

  • Steve Nguyen
    Director
  • Steve Nguyen
    Writer
  • Skylar Gruys
    Writer
  • Gavin Tran
    Producer
  • Wynn Siu
    Key Cast
    "Annie"
  • Katrina Kwan
    Key Cast
    "Leena"
  • Joel Chan
    Key Cast
    "Elliot"
  • Kalayna Kozak
    Key Cast
    "Marley"
  • Mercedes De La Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Kim"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Family, Drama
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 23, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    2,120 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Capilano University
Director Biography - Steve Nguyen

Steve Nguyen has had an interest in filmmaking ever since his first Canon Powershot Camera in Grade 4. He ran his high school media program and have dedicated himself more into managerial roles in film like Assistant Directing in over 10 short films. In this final year at Capilano University, he wanted to direct a film with meaning to it. Steve is inspired by films like Tokyo Story, Forrest Gump, and other short stories that resonates with people.

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Director Statement

My Family Tree (previously titled as 'My Grandma') comes from a personal story of mine. It’s based on the relationship between my mother and grandma when my parents decided to cross the Pacific Ocean and start a new career and family in Canada. My grandma couldn’t believe what my mother was risking, having little knowledge of where she would end up. While the first few years my parents worked various jobs to keep a roof over our heads, we wouldn’t talk to our relatives in Vietnam as much, simply because of technology and time zone differences.

It was only until I was roughly one years-old when we made the trip back to Vietnam to visit family that previous feuds began to resolve itself out. When my grandma first cradled me in her arms, she was astonished at what my parents were able to achieve in this risky journey. At times, it could have crumbled but my parents were persistent in ensuring a better life for their children and allowing more opportunities than they did growing up in a developing nation.

The relationship between families has gotten better. Our family is seemingly at the center of attention all the time because everyone is proud of what my sister and I have accomplished with our parent’s motivation. My grandma specifically is overjoyed every time we speak over the phone and reminisce about when I was just a small child. My grandma and my mother have reconnected over the years and are really close to being hundreds of miles away. I wanted to tell this story in honour of my parents’ sacrifice as well as the respect I have for the massive family still in Vietnam.