Mary (Sherry Tao) is a single mother living in Singapore. She works at a local takeout restaurant to make ends meet. One evening, her teenage daughter, Evalynn (Lynn Chia), says she’ll be studying with a friend at home, so Mary makes sure to bring home an extra serving of tofu. The mother is shocked when she discovers her daughter and friend making out in Evalynn’s bedroom. The rest of this short film follows Mary as she attempts to cope with the discovery of her daughter’s sexuality.
How to Love You won the award for ‘Best Storyblocks - Representation Through Storytelling’ at the 2022 All-American High School Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best International Film. It’s highly impressive that Bridgette Ong’s first film would receive such accolades, and I hope we see more from her in the near future. The young director displays an excellent eye for cinematography and visual storytelling.
There are some occasional issues with How to Love You among the actors. The confrontation between Mary and Evalynn’s friend, Avery (Patricia Hwan), sticks out in an otherwise exquisitely acted and shot short film.
While most films with similar plotlines following unaccepting parents stumble into common pitfalls, How to Love You skillfully pirouettes around them with clear messaging and subtle empathy. Anyone looking for content to flesh out a series about queerness and family should look to How to Love You first. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
How to Love You belongs in short film, drama, and LGBTQIA+ collections.
What kind of college instructors would be interested in this film?
How to Love You would be an excellent choice for introductory-level Queer and Women’s studies instructors.