“Sweet Memories” By Jessica Wu
Alone in a homey Japanese eatery, a schoolboy reminisces his failed attempts to woo his crush. He daydreams an elaborate dance number and band performance to redeem his image in the hopes she might reconsider.
“Sweet Memories” is a swan song to the innocent liveliness a little kid possesses before the teenage years eclipse - an embrace of all the silliness and messiness of preteen love. Partially an excuse to inject my obsession with Asian snacks into memories of growing up with a goofy younger brother, this short film answers the question: What if Stephen Chow directed A Brighter Summer Day?
The visuals - inspired by Taiwanese and Japanese cinematic masterpieces from Edward Yang to Yasujirō Ozu - express the warm nostalgic musing of a schoolboy with a crush. How painful and overwhelming yet ridiculous and light-hearted it all is in hindsight.
I am honored to have attained the rights to the classic 1977 Hawaiian groove track, "Lihue", as it sparked the entire idea and perfectly expresses the heartbroken wistful longing of our boy.
Jessica Wu - Director
Credits
Starring:
Roman Pesino as The Boy
Elsa Park as The Crush
Arcadia Leung as The Friend
Jimmy Zhou on keys
Enrique Baniqued on drums
Susana Cofinco And Jocelyn Pardinas as The Aunties
Tenzin Norbu as The Bartender
Featuring: “Lihue” by Nohelani Cypriano
Director & Producer: Jessica JM Wu
Director of Photography: Kay Grospe
Editor: Maria Todorov-Topouzov
Production Company: Undivided Creative
Assistant Director, Line Producer & Covid Coordinator: Colin Walker
1st Assistant Camera & DIT: Richard Gonzales
Gaffer: John Mauch
Production Designer: Karen Selina N.
Key PA/Swing: Max Medvediev
Art PA: Enrique Baniqued
Colorist: Kassi Bellamy
Graphic Designer: Dwight Balutan
VFX: Genesis Rivas
Assistant Editor: Aya Chouaib
Thank You:
Cord International & Hana Ola Records, Deborah Hong, Vince Tran, Luke Truman
Kelly Nguyen, Ryan Louis, Justin Bignall, Patrick Silverio, Emily Smillie, Helen Wu (Mom)
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen, Ground Glass Casting, Propaganda Art-House
William F. White, Darling Colour & VFX
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