[film roll rattles]
[phone beeping]
[Daughter] Yeah, I have a spider plant in my apartment,
like in the corner.
It’s growing really fast
and there’s a baby spider plant coming out of it,
but what do I do with it?
When do you know when to separate the baby?
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[gentle music]
[phone ringing]
[button clicks]
[Daughter] I think I want to understand a little bit more
about what your life was like when you were younger,
before you met Apa.
[Mother] But I’m not special, actually.
[Daughter] Yeah but you’re special because you’re my amah.
[Mother] [laughs] Thank you.
[woman speaks in foreign language]
[upbeat music]
[Daughter] My mother came here when she was my age.
I’m trying to understand who she was,
but I think my imagination keeps getting in the way.
In these images she’s always alone,
screaming, laughing, singing love songs to herself.
[clock ticking]
[upbeat music]
Why have I never asked her,
who were you before you became my mother?
So that’s what you look like.
Ah-ha.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
Yeah, I think so.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] In reality,
my mother never went to Disneyland alone.
After her first time,
she’ll return with her brother’s family.
Eventually, she’ll go with me.
But I made these images so that I can imagine a past
where my mother was free to be alone.
I wonder what images she could have made
if she had been given the same freedom she gave me.
[Mother] Everything is first time regarding filming.
[Daughter] But you could also film yourself in the mirror.
You’re right. [daughter laughs]
You’re smart. [chuckles]
The filming, making film,
will give you more freedom, right?
[Daughter] I really hope so.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] What does [speaks in foreign language]
mean again?
[Mother] [speaks in foreign language] means
I’m jealous and proud of you.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] It’s both?
[mother laughs]
[Daughter] Wait, [speaks in foreign language]?
[woman speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] Do you feel like
being [speaks in foreign language]
is part of being a parent, though?
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] Yeah, that’s funny,
I can’t think of an equivalent word in English.
It’s really funny.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[gentle music]
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Mother] You’re 26 now?
I’m gonna do like you.
[Daughter] Sometimes I go and sing karaoke all by myself.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] Do you think that’s weird?
[mother speaks in foreign language]
[Daughter] I think we’re both brave.
You came to a new country by yourself.
That’s very brave. Yeah.
[Daughter] That’s the most brave.
[mother speaks in foreign language]
Kristy!
[woman speaks in foreign language]
[woman speaks in foreign language]
[waves whooshing]
[gentle music]
[upbeat music]
