As the only girl among four siblings, I’ve always felt a sense of being damaged. My parents, immigrants from the Philippines, have worked tirelessly throughout their time in America. In addition to being the only girl, I’m also the youngest of three brothers. People often say, “You’re so lucky,” or “You’re the baby of the family.” However, they fail to recognize the anxiety and burden that comes with it. While I deeply love and am profoundly grateful for my family, the topic of intergenerational trauma is always present.

For more than a decade, the San Diego Asian Film Festival’s Taiwan Showcase has brought the rich history of Taiwanese cinema in what is now the largest showcase of Taiwanese films in North America. In recent years, Taiwan seems to have taken more presence in American news and media. As a young Taiwanese American adult, I’ve been fascinated to see growing awareness of my cultural roots among my peers.

Featured in the Taiwan Showcase collection at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, Dead Talents Society’s two-day run brought in crowds of all ages and walks of life, eager to see young Taiwanese director John Hsu’s newest film. John made the grueling flight from Taiwan to attend the screenings, and he took some time to give a Q&A session with the audience and chat with me personally.