On Friday, a documentary about a North Texas family will premiere on Netflix that will stream on screens around the world.
Who do we become? It follows three young Filipina American women over the past three years as they grapple with the pandemic, racial tensions, and social justice. The three also form unexpected relationships with their families, many of whom are immigrants from the Philippines.
Lauren Yap and her family from Bedford are featured prominently in the film.
“For me, making this film really focuses on the story of these three Filipina-American women, where you see them kind of come forward, embrace their political views and awareness, and then figure out a way to share it with their families,” said the film’s director, Austin-based director B.J. Raval. “Family – those who know it may have a completely different perspective and come from a completely different experience.” “So I think it’s possible to have that exchange there, but I think it requires a lot of trust and vulnerability and ultimately relies on the idea of familial love… We We know that a big part of the Filipino experience is putting your family first.
The story also centers around the Filipino word “kapua,” which means “shared identity” and “togetherness.”
The film also depicts the unbreakable bond between family and Filipino society.
“I think the idea of having one foot in the United States, and one connected to the Philippines through parents or grandparents or one of our family members, puts us in a very specific position as we navigate American culture — but also the Filipino culture, you know, has all its richness,” he said. And its nuances, too.”
Who do we become? Acquired by ARRAY Releasing, director Ava DuVernay’s distribution group is dedicated to distributing and showcasing independent films made by Black artists, people of color, and women of all genres.
In an interview with NBC 5, Raval said he is excited for Asian American and minority communities to see the film and connect with its message.
“Understanding that the Filipino American experience is also very specific because it falls into this space that some scholars have called minimalism, which is the idea of some sort of overlap between American culture and perhaps the culture of our ancestors or our parents or grandparents,” he said. “And I think that’s something that many people go through.” Different communities…it’s a way of thinking about how we fit together and the strength of that power there. So the film is very much about Asian and black solidarity.
It is also about sending the same message to the rest of the world during a crucial time, Raval said.
“I’m really excited to release this film in December because I think the holiday period, as much as it can be filled with a lot of joy, can also be filled with a lot of anxiety and stress at times for a family. And I realize now that we’re living in very turbulent times and there’s a lot of “It’s a division, not just within the country, but also within families sometimes. I think if anything, I hope this film will be inspiring and perhaps serve as an example and a guide for those who are trying to bridge that gap between other family members,” he said. “He always reminds us that it’s all about love, right? The idea of family love, community love and friendship love – with that love comes trust. This is where these conversations can originate.
Who do we become? She has already held shows all over Texas and beyond. NBC 5’s Alanna Quillen — who is Filipino — recently hosted a local Q&A with the director and Yap’s family on a recent show.
There is also a virtual watch party happening Friday night at 7pm Central. For more information about the viewing party and the film, click here.
