Experiencing Interruptions?

One Summer Night

On the morning of Stanford-bound Hai's graduation, his older brother, Huy, turns down another job offer that takes him away from his family. When bringing medicine to their father, Ba, Huy finds something gravely wrong with him and admits him to hospice care without consulting Hai.

After a heart-to-heart conversation with Ba, Hai seeks answers behind Huy's decision, causing him to find that his brother is still falling into a bad smoking habit. Furious and failing to understand each other's situations, the brothers trade verbal blows until Hai retreats home, and Huy stays with Ba for the night.

As the night progresses, the brothers contemplate their situations. Hai tends to their abandoned garden, and Huy ditches his cigarettes. In the dead of night, Ba strains for one, last conversation with his son. Hai rushes to the hospice, but it's too late.

Per Vietnamese tradition, the brothers pray and light incense for their father at a homemade altar. Hai restarts the garden that they abandoned, while Huy leaves for his new job in a different state. Hai leaves his desire for success, while Huy finally pursues his dreams.

  • Long Lê
    Director
  • Long Lê
    Writer
  • Long Lê
    Producer
  • Ann Nguyễn
    Producer
  • Tom Dang
    Key Cast
    "Huy"
  • David Vi Hoàng
    Key Cast
    "Hai"
  • Joseph Hiếu
    Key Cast
    "Ba"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 13, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Vietnamese
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRIRAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Long Lê

Born to Vietnamese immigrants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Long has always held a passion for storytelling, focusing on character-driven plots and advocating for more Asian representation in media. A graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Long’s work has been recognized by film festivals such as, Louisiana International Film Festival and Los Angeles CineFest. Throughout his career, he has garnered diverse experience from unscripted Jubilee Media shows to K Period Media and Thunder Road Productions’ The Accidental Getaway Driver, a Sundance award-winning feature film. In 2019, Long was selected from filmmakers across the globe to participate in Jubilee Media’s Fellowship of 2019, where he collaborated with Jubilee Media and a team of three other filmmakers on a film made in two weeks.

In addition to his physical production skillset, Long interned for companies, like Skydance Media and Aperture Entertainment, providing script coverage and shadowing creative executives in meetings. While at USC, Long founded USC’s premiere Asian arts magazine, Descent Magazine, and held the presidential office for the Asian Pacific Cinema Association, which both promote and connect Asian creatives at USC. Outside of filmmaking, Long enjoys playing board games, video games, and Dungeons & Dragons.

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Director Statement

One Summer Night is based on the true story of my dad's passing in 2019 and the journey of grief and growth that my family and I are still on.

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, and he tried his hardest to be there for us. When he passed away, I remember as clear as day, my older brother turning around to me saying, "At least he made it to my graduation." And it broke me.

Graduation is an important milestone in my family, and in May 2023, I graduated from USC. My dad actually never knew that I got into USC, and I actually don’t know my dad’s last words. But, through One Summer Night, I hope to send him a message: Ba, I made it.