“Ah-Ma Burns” by Max Kane
Ah-Ma Burns tells the story of WINNIE, an 86-year-old woman, who’s spent months in isolation. On the anniversary of her husband’s death, her grandson reluctantly invites her to a Friendsgiving dinner, where she briefly rediscovers joy through unexpected connections. The night takes a strange turn when a spiritual ritual allows Winnie to transcend the physical world, culminating in a surreal and uplifting climax.
This is a personal film inspired by my own Taiwanese grandmother. I made it to honor her complex humanity- something I only truly saw after she passed. The film draws influence from Gaspar Noé and Lulu Wang, and is shot in an immersive style reminiscent of Barry Ackroyd. It’s a story about transformation, memory, and rebellion against invisibility in old age.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“I adored my Ah-Ma growing up and always remembered her as the happiest person in my life. Over a decade after her passing, while my family was cleaning out her house, we found one of her old diaries buried in a pile of books. As I spent weeks reading through it, she transformed before me into a woman of strong convictions, deep desires, and an ingrained sadness. I made this film to honor her complex humanity - something I only came to understand after she was gone.”
-Max Kane
CREDITS
CAST
Alice Lin/ @100miraclesperday
Jeff Chen/ @jfcting
Joey Krulock/ @joeykrulock
Brooke Gardner/ @brooke.mg
Jens Josephs/ @jensjosephs
Alex Snyder/ @alexanderbyalex
Yin Yin Liow /@yinyin_liow
CREW
Writer, Director// Max Kane/ @kanemax_
DP// Jay Swuen/ @jayswuen
AD, Producer// Alyssa Callahan/ @alyssacallahan
1st AC, VFX Supervisor// Mike Overton/ @mikemovt
PD, Gaffer, Producer// Kenzo Le/ @kenzo.dp
Script Supervisor, Translator// Tatlok Cheang/ @tatlokc
Production Sound// Gage Tapia/ @gagelicious
2nd AC// Sabrina Zukowski/ @sabrina.zukowski
Grip// Victor Jones-Valverde/ @vic_jon_val
Set Dresser// Neptune Lee/ @neptunearthouse
Transpo// Bob Kane/ @bobkane919
PAs/ @leemdreamz & @neildua & @nclmccullough
Add'l Editors/ @simonponten & @kirstenhoang
Sound Design & Mix// Hansdale Hsu/ @hansdalehsu
Composer// Lane Shi Otay Onii/ @laneshiotayonii
Colorist// Ryan Urzi/ @ryanurzi
Poster Design// Xiran Luo/ @l_o_boood
Add'l VFX/ @danielnienhuis & @iyliao
Add'l Sound// Jonathan Ian/ @joniansound
Add'l Music// J-Rizzy/ @rizzythareel
Add'l Artwork// Alex Hinojosa/ @alecxpsdesign
Prod Co// Crimson Edge/ @crimsonedgecreative
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