On the eve of Chinese New Year, one kitchen, and a tray of dumplings become the battleground where tradition, teenage rebellion, and three generations collide.
Dumpling Saves the Day
The short film, “Dumplings,” is about an immigrant mother who tries to preserve family traditions by making her rebellious daughter join the annual Chinese New Year’s Eve cooking. Three main characters come into play: the mother, Hannah, the daughter, Christy, and the Grandmother. We see a generational perspective come into play within this story, to show both the gap between the generations and also to show that mothers also have mothers who once saw over their teenage days. Then comes Luke, a totally different character in terms of identity and gender, which becomes an alarm for the conservative family of Asian traditions. Intertwining culture, generations, mother-daughter relationships and teenage rebellion, this film portrays the complexity of family relationships and struggles as an immigrant family in the US.
Joshua Lee
Junha Kim
Crysantha Delnay
Andrew Bautista
Director
Joshua approached Dumplings with a focus on honoring Natasha Jayaputra’s original vision, keeping the story grounded and emotionally authentic. Inspired by Everything Everywhere All at Once, he emphasized the complexity of family, culture, and generational tension without losing intimacy. He guided performances to feel natural and sincere, centering the film on understanding between mother and daughter rather than just conflict.
Director of Photography
Junha used practical lighting to create a warm, intimate atmosphere within the home, drawing inspiration from Everything Everywhere All at Once. He achieved a nighttime look during daytime shoots through controlled lighting, covered windows, and careful exposure.
Production Designer
Crysantha created a lived-in home that reflected both cultural tradition and everyday American life, inspired by the layered domestic spaces in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Assistant Director
Andrew kept the production organized and on schedule, coordinating scenes and managing logistics on set.
Acknowledgments
This film would not have come together as smoothly without the dedication and hard work of our Production Assistants. We are deeply grateful for their time, energy, and commitment. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the McGregor family for generously allowing us to film in their home, providing a space that became essential to bringing Dumplings to life.
Watch the Trailer
